Review
An e-arc of the book has been provided by the publisher. Button Poetry, in exchange for an honest review.
“because where I come from/ beauty is in the eye of anyone who sees/ what’s missing but can’t stop pointing/ to what’s out there.”
A poignant poetry collection of self-reflection and an eventual rediscovery of the self, You Better Be Lightning is a marvelous read that should be consumed at a slow pace.
In a brilliant show of vulnerability, the author shared to us an extremely personal aspect of life — a moment where courage and fear, together, collides and creates a wonderful explosion of true colours.
“And no, it is not the weak who try to clock out early. It’s the people who are desperate to go home.”
The journey through reading this book was pretty simple; to which said simplicity was the cause of my lower rating for this book. I loved it and I appreciated the facets of the story. In all honest, though, I expected a shorter count in each of these poems.
Indeed it is a clash between my personal interest and the author’s method of execution, but I just wanted to point that out.
“Every time I ever said I want to die — I meant I am willing to do anything to live. Even leave this world forever.”
What ruined the collection for me is myself — I read it in a go and the rush took away a beauty which could have been cherished more taken slow.
“To be human, it seems, is to know your true self only as well as you know a galaxy you’ve never been to.”
About the Author
Andrea Gibson is an award-winning poet and activist who lives in Boulder, Colorado. Their latest book THE LORD OF THE BUTTERFLIES will be published by Button in November 2018.
Their poetry focuses on gender norms, politics, social reform and the struggles LGBTQ people face in today’s society. In addition to using poetry to express what they feel and provide social and political commentary on real issues, they are involved with many activist groups. They often perform at Take Back the Night events, LGBTQ events, pride events, trans events, anti-war rallies, peace rallies, organizations against the occupation of Palestine, and groups focused on examining the wrongs of capitalism, patriarchy and white supremacy. They also work with a group called Vox Feminista whose model is to “comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable” on all these issues. Throughout the year, they tour Universities and other venues across the country.
