I was asked to read and review this book by the absolutely delightful author @asanctuaryoflovepoetry.
Dates read: 22/11/21 to 30/11/21 Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Word to describe: Bewitching Genre: Poetry
Beverly Maier has an undisputed talent for writing raw and vulnerable poetry. This is my first time reading her work and I was wowed by the beautiful imagery and the softly spoken words. Both of which were followed by the pain and torment emitting from each page. To Be Loved To The Bone is passionate, attentive, and unyielding. The words behind it are enchanting, they capture the reader and suck them into each stanza and each verse until they feel although they have poured their own soul into every line.
I particularly related to multiple poems in this collection that offered a sense of safety and almost home-like comfort. The poems that focus on the moment of self-realisation are utterly breathtaking, and wholesome, and leave a reminiscent feeling in the reader. There are many in this collection that I could highlight as the utmost beautiful. However, the following excerpt is the one that stuck with me, personally, and emitted a sense of strength and courage.
"I will nourish my heart before I feed your soul.
I will warm my hands before I take away your cold.
I will build myself a house before I find you a home.
I will love myself from skin to bone." - Page 42
One of the things I found interesting with this collection was the lack of titles for the poems. The majority of poetry I have collected to date, which I can wholeheartedly admit is not many, contain titles for each individual poem. Therefore, the lack thereof helps add to the vulnerability of this collection. I believe this made the collection appear more like a journal and overall, as a reader you are left thinking you have read something sacred and secretive.
Split into sections with titles such as "anchor" this collection offers a lot of imagery based on the sea and stormy turmoil. Harsh waves, crashing seashores, and many other powerful images are brought to the mind in these sections and they truly help the reader to envision the negative emotions. Which, I feel really compliments the theme of this collection - by encapsulating the emotions of the poetry into such vivid landscapes. It is purely metaphorical and maybe even unintentional but this continuous theme of storms is brilliant and really helps to connect each poem and pull together the collection.
The author has left herself be emotionally exposed to the reader delving into topics for love, relationships, mental health, and heartache. Each poem perfectly follows the last and takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery. A poem for healing, a poem for the hurting, and a poem for self-love, this collection has it all. It is beautiful and I thoroughly adored every second I spent reading it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Beverly Maier for providing a free e-book copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. To Be Loved To The Bone is available now on Amazon.
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