I love poetry. I read it and write it. I love poetry so much that sometimes I'll just scroll through all the social media platforms out there, just so I can find new writers and/or new poems (long or short).
About a year ago I was scrolling through one of the many social media platforms and came across a poem by Rupi Kaur. Almost immediately I found her Instagram account and was scrolling through it, reading all of her poems she had posted. F fell in love with her writing. And the next thing I know is that I had just received a package in the mail from Amazon (s/o to Amazon Prime) and had read her book "Milk and Honey" cover to cover.
As I mentioned above, I love poetry. so for me, I especially love writing that is true, and real. I love writing that isn't fake, and not censored. I love writing that you can tell was poured out from the heart of that writer onto a piece of paper. Kaur's writing more than accomplishes that. And I don't think I'm over-exaggerating when I say her book, is nothing less than a masterpiece.
Kaur tackles everything and anything from sex, self-love, fear, hurting, and above all healing. She isn't afraid to speak her mind either, and it's definitely shown. More than that, though, Kaur is able to speak of horrific topics but says them in such an eloquent way.
"Milk and Honey" is broken up into four parts the hurting, the loving, the breaking, and finally the healing.
Kaur starts off her book in a traumatic state but slowly ascends into a loving state, descends into a breaking state but finally end in a gratifying state. Through her writing, it's as if the reader is traveling with her through these states. The reader feels her trauma. this is where Kaur's writing style comes into play. Since her writing is so real, the reader can fully feel what she's writing. By the end of the book, the reader feels healed. Kaur makes it seem as no one needs anybody but themselves and despite the trauma, you're stronger than who you were and can overcome anything.
One of my favorite parts of her book is how relatable it is. No matter the poem, no matter what the reader may be struggling with, Kaur makes it so they can find encouragement or help. To me, it's almost as if the reader isn't only traveling through her story, but the reader is traveling through their story too.
"Milk and Honey" is an impeccable book. I highly recommend reading it. It'll leave you reeling but in a good way. "Milk and Honey" can make you feel like you're all alone in a dark cave, but can also make you feel like a help-line is on its way.
I give "Milk and Honey" a 10/10.
Below are a few of my favorites from her book:
