For readers of Rupi Kaur (Milk and Honey) and Cheryl Strayed, a book small enough to carry with you, with messages big enough to stay with you, from one of the most quotable and influential poets of our time.
Andrea Gibson explores themes of love, gender, politics, sexuality, family, and forgiveness with stunning imagery and a fierce willingness to delve into the exploration of what it means to heal and to be different in this strange age. Take Me With You, illustrated throughout with evocative line drawings by Sarah J. Coleman, is small enough to fit in your bag, with messages that are big enough to wake even the sleepiest heart. Divided into three sections (love, the world, and becoming) of one liners, couplets, greatest hits phrases, and longer form poems, it has something for everyone, and will be placed in stockings, lockers, and the hands of anyone who could use its wisdom.
Initial thoughts: The first time I heard of spoken word poetry was the day I watched a video on YouTube of Andrea Gibson performing. That poem cut right to my soul and made me re-examine my prejudices. Seven years have passed and the tears still sting today.
When I came across Take Me With You a few month ago, I was intrigued. Now that I’ve read it, I’m a little underwhelmed. Maybe it’s because when they speak their poetry, Andrea’s voice is so powerfully raw, you feel their words to your bones. I didn’t feel it with this poetry collection. There were so many aphorisms, I thought the book didn’t go as deep as I had expected. Although, I did remember the poem on stethoscopes — that’s one that made me smile the first time I heard it and again when I read it in this book.
In any case, I did like the poems that went beyond one-liners. And some of the aphorisms did make me smile, chuckle and/or pause for thought.
