Hey Hope!
Since this week is the final calm before the storm of spring semester, our LONG holiday break is now unfortunately coming to a close. HP, over the course of these two months off, I’ve consumed an almost embarrassing amount of content (TV shows, new music, movies, and let's face it… a LOT of books). Since this time of rest and relaxation is about over, I thought it would be a good time to recommend one of my favorite books I’ve read over this break.
One of the most unique books I’ve recently read is Home Body by Rupi Kaur. (I’m going to include a few of my favorite poems from Home Body throughout this post to give you a feel for her style of writing. Enjoy! )This book is the third collection of Kaur’s poetry, and she is most well known from her debut poetry collection, Milk and Honey. HP, in all honesty, I was always a bit on the fence to read her poetry because there are thousands of Twitter trolls who say her writing is “simple, utter garbage” and “for basic bitches” (pardon my french). Hope, you should look at some of the snooty Goodreads reviews. They can get realll nasty.
BUT! I read Milk and Honey back in 2018, and I really enjoyed it. I was almost afraid to tell people I liked it unironically because I didn’t want that “basic” label, but at this point in my life, honestly, who cares?! There is strength in owning up to what you enjoy, and I’ve found letting others sway you into deciding how you feel is a waste. of. time. So I like this book! I like Rupi Kaur! And I’m definitely not sorry about it. *mic drop*
When I first heard about Home Body, I was intrigued by the name itself. Due to COVID, I know I certainly have felt like a home body these past few months, as I’m sure many others can relate. So, I picked it up just to see what it was about, and wow. I was certainly not disappointed.
This poetry collection feels a bit like magic to me. As I went through the book, I had to read the words aloud and truly take my time with each page. Not only because many of the poems are very short, but Kaur’s words are just so beautifully structured in their simplicity and openness, they deserve to be spoken aloud. The book is split into four sections: mind, heart, rest, and awake. Each page deals with an aspect of Kaur’s struggle with self worth, trauma, lack of confidence, and finding love for her body as well as navigating love for others.
Rupi Kaur defies so much of what our society preaches women should be, which I think may be why so many find her poetry “lackluster” and “unimpressive.” Kaur doesn’t feel the need to plant heavy abstract concepts in every poem. While there is beauty in unraveling poetry and digging to find meaning in each carefully worded personification and metaphor known to man, Kaur’s poetry stands out because anyone can read it and understand what message she is trying to convey.
Because she writes so plainly, leaving not much up for interpretation, I’ve seen online that people believe it “isn’t real poetry.” But I believe poetry- free verse especially- can essentially be anything. Sometimes the most admirable work is art that breaks all the rules, and what better way to break the rules than openly pouring your heart out on every page for all to understand? As the reader, sometimes I felt like I should be looking away from something so personal, like I’m looking at a stranger’s diary entry. And other times, I felt like I was looking at my own diary because I felt such a strong connection with what Kaur is expressing.
Kaur’s poetry just absolutely shines in my opinion. I don’t always completely understand the life experiences she has gone through due to my own lack of experience, but it gives me the space to strengthen my empathy and willingness to listen to those who’ve lived much different lives than I have. Her work creates awareness of social problems I’d never even considered! There are countless stories and emotions she conveys throughout these pages, from heartbreak to terror to infatuation, there are much too many to list here. It is so surreal to me knowing anyone could pick up this collection and at one point or another say, ‘Yes! That’s me! That’s how I’ve felt too.’ There is magic in the connection her poetry allows its readers to feel.
If you’re on a self love or self acceptance journey, or frankly if you’re just feeling a little stuck, I would certainly recommend this book. When I finished reading this poetry collection, I felt such a sense of clarity and peace wash over me, and I know that sounds fake, but genuinely I’m not even kidding. It put my life and my choices in perspective, and allowed me time to think about where I want to go from here, as well as reflect on the variety of experiences I’ve had thus far in life. Rupi Kaur’s blunt truths and honesty made me feel very comforted, and at times, very validated. I can promise if you give this book a try and come in with an open mind, you will certainly see a bit of yourself somewhere on the page.
If you’ve read Home Body or plan to, let me know what you think! :)
-mk
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