The Hurting Kind: Poem by Ada Limon
2023 Frenzied Bibliophile Challenge Category: Massachusetts Center for the Book Challenge - April
Rating: 5/5
Since April is Poetry Month, the Mass Center for the Book Challenge was to read a book of poetry. I chose Ada Limon’s book because, well I don’t know a lot of poets so I figured the U.S. Poet Laureate might be the right person to read. And oh my goodness, am I so glad that I did. She has elements of some of my favorite authors, Terry Tempest Williams, Barbara Kingsolver, Annie Dillard, in her poems. And birds. I love birds.
I was going to savor these, as I feel like poems need to be reflected on a bit. But once I started reading, I couldn't stop. The book is divided into 4 sections: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. The poems felt like you were progressing through time, seeing things with different eyes as the seasons changed.
Limon’s poems are so powerful, with just two sentences she can transport you. She writes of nature, friendship, love, family, heritage, sometimes all in one poem. She writes of the hurt we experience, that never quite leaves us but also the love that sustains us. And in one poem she can make you laugh out loud, but also bring tears to your eyes, which was the case with my favorite poem in the book “Calling Things What They Are.”
Reading The Hurting Kind made me want to read more poetry and I am so glad for this challenge. I guess that is what they are for, right??
Comments