What a fantastic, thoughtful book! I've savored every page and also had a hard time putting it down. I could have easily highlighted every word. After discovering David Gate's poetry on Instagram, this book has been one I've been highly anticipating and I'm so glad to report it has not disappointed. With invitations to compassion and care, friendship and presence throughout the poems and essays, this is one I highly recommend and know I'll be returning to.

I really went back and forth on this poetry collection. Many of the author’s poems and ideas really stirred me up to move through the world with more compassion and purpose. The author’s passion for justice is evident and often moving. However, at times the craft of the language itself didn’t do much for me. I recognize that different styles of poetry have different purposes, and Gates’s is more geared toward inspiration and shareability, which has its place. For me, reading so many poems with that intent in the format of a book was not the most impactful format—I tend to be more powerfully moved when I come across just one of the poems online, while in rapid succession in the book they didn’t always hit the same way. Still, a positive and accessible collection that I think will have an impact on many readers.

David Gate blends humor, vulnerability, and sharp social commentary in this collection of poems and essays. It explores what it means to live fully in an age of social change, consumerism, and loneliness. The sometimes personal essays between chapters was a refreshing and unique way of adding additional depth to the writing. It’s thought-provoking yet hopeful and reminding us that fostering connections through kindness and art, as well as staying truly authentic in a world that feels like the opposite, is a true act of rebellion.

David Gate’s essay and poetry collection “A Rebellion of Care” is beautiful. Gate writes from the heart, giving readers pieces of himself as he contemplates his life and loves. He reminds us that “joy is an act of rebellion/against the established order,” and urges his readers to “Make art & music/ because music & art/ are love letters to the living/ addressed to us all.”
I printed his poem “Stardust” to hang over my desk to remind myself to sparkle each day, and Part 5 of his collection, titled “I Pour Out the Contents of my Notes App in an Attempt to Create Connection” is wildly creative (and I admit I want to try a similar form myself).
Gate tells us that laughing with old friends is living in the truest sense. Perhaps the most profound takeaway I took from his book (besides “Stardust”) is this reminder: “You may not be responsible/ for the source of your pain/ but you are responsible/ for everywhere it goes.” As someone with childhood trauma, I want to keep this reminder close to me. I don’t want others to feel my pain and anger; I want them to sparkle as I am learning to.
I urge people to read this beautiful book. It will touch your heart. You may cry, you may become angry, or you may pause in your reading to ask yourself what care you need to give yourself. Listen to what your heart says.

This was my first time with Gate's work, but I am interested in seeing more. I have started following him on Instagram to see more of his work.

The book is organized into ten thematic sections, each with poems that fit into those themes. I found that Gate's skills dazzled in the poems about religion. I love the juxtaposition he offered when using spiritual language in tandem with digital nomenclature.

The poems were easily consumable and did not require much thought on the reader's part. This could both be an asset and a deterrent, depending on which type of poems speak to you. I found the short poems to be written for the digital age, and I really enjoyed them.

Overall, I liked this collection, and I can't wait to read more from this author.

Final Thoughts: Reminder, poetry is subjective, and what I like might not be what you like. Always be open to reading and experiencing new perspectives and types of poetry.

Disclaimer: Thank you Netgalley and Convergent Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This book is so important. I found the intro to be so moving and inspiring that I decided I'd purchase it for my friends before I even got to the poems. This book feels like a call to get back to what matters the most. Absolutely wonderful and moving.

3.5 stars
David Gate's book begins with a beautifully written introduction. The essays throughout were points of strength, but many of the poems were a little too easily consumable and did not require much thought on the reader's part. I loved the poems more when I had to work for each morsel and word. Gate's skills particularly shone in the poems about political discourse. Although this book is not for me, I have a feeling it is a phenomenal read for the right audience. It may be that it has a greater impact when read aloud. I believe that the audiobook edition is also available. I am unfamiliar with Gate's work, but I am interested in seeing more. I will be following him because I am intrigued by his essays and political pieces within this collection. As always, poetry is subjective, and my opinions should be taken with a grain of salt.

Thank you to NetGalley and Convergent Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 - I enjoyed this collection! It aligned with a lot of my own beliefs and it was nice to be able to relate to poetry on that level. I think my favorite parts of this collection were the intro passages to each section. They very eloquently explained what the section would be about and the authors stance on certain themes. Even though they were my favorite part, they usually went on for a little too long and would kind of lose my attention. They also tended to feel a bit soapbox-y by the end. I also think that several of the more simplistic poems could have been cut to make the collection feel stronger. Poems like “Sensitive Content” (*included below) felt lazy and not up to par with the rest of the poems/writing. I did overall really like this collection and I would read more from this author.

My favorite poems were:

- Waste Your Life
- Stardust
- Stay Weird
- Less Panic, More Disco!
- Terraform
- Good Skin (A Haiku)
- Heatwave
- Friendship Will Save Us
- Mutual Sanctuary
- Prisms
- I Hope This Finds You Well
- The Variable
- Cicadas
- Optimistic
- Made of Stone
- Flower Power
- They/Them
- Give Us Back Our Lives - so good! Very powerful and relatable!!

Fave quotes:

“It doesn’t have to be a heaven
nor an idyll or an Eden
it just has to be a tomorrow
your soft heart can believe in”

“To know the name of a thing is the first step toward caring for it, for we cannot protect what remains anonymous to us.”

“because the worst thing you can possibly wear is other people’s expectations”


*Sensitive Content

This poem may contain sensitive
content
It’s me.
I’m the sensitive content.

David Gate’s A Rebellion of Care stands out as both a poetry collection and a manifesto, a work that dares to combine personal vulnerability with urgent social critique. Gate, a poet who rose to popularity through Instagram, channels that accessibility and immediacy into print without losing depth.

➥ Structure and Themes

The book is organized into ten thematic sections, beginning with the titular “A Rebellion of Care”, a rallying cry for reclaiming our humanity in a culture that often devalues it. Gate’s poetry explores the radical act of caring: for oneself, for others, for community. The core message: in a world defined by late-stage capitalism, loneliness, and systemic anxiety, “making art & music...are love letters to the living” and to care deeply is, itself, a form of resistance.

➥ Language and Style

Gate’s writing draws from both his religious background and digital-era sensibilities. He weaves spiritual language with contemporary slang and internet culture, creating poetry that feels both ancient and urgently fresh. The poems oscillate between prophetic declarations and intimate confessions, revealing both societal critique and personal struggle. His verse is often direct, at times snarky, but always intentional, echoing statements like, “I cannot positive-mental-attitude myself into a more equitable society,” showing a deep skepticism of easy solutions to systemic problems.

➥ Highlights

➤ Manifesto and Praxis: The poems function as a call to action, urging radical kindness in personal relationships and collective structures. Rather than offering mere inspiration, Gate blends practical vision and commentary on social issues, making his book both blueprint and catharsis.

➤ Embodiment and Acceptance: In sections like “Human Becoming,” Gate frames body acceptance as rebellion against a culture that profits from insecurity, offering genuine alternatives to self-improvement culture.

➤ Accessibility and Depth: Though grounded in the Instagram poetry tradition, the collection is praised for its intellectual rigor and emotional resonance, speaking to a wide range of readers.

➥ Critique

While the accessible style will appeal to fans of Instagram poetry, readers seeking denser literary forms or more complex imagery may find the language sometimes plain. However, Gate’s directness is intentional, designed to welcome readers into difficult subjects and catalyze genuine reflection.

➥ Comparisons and Reception

Reviewers liken Gate’s blend of the personal and political to poets like Adrienne Rich, Audre Lorde, and Ocean Vuong, voices that use poetry not just for self-expression, but for cultural and social transformation.

➥ Final Verdict

A Rebellion of Care is a powerful, hopeful voice in contemporary poetry, a book that reckons with the pains of modern living while holding out the possibility for healing, connection, and revolution through radical care. Whether you’re drawn to poetry for solace, community, or activism, David Gate’s debut invites you not only to read, but to live differently.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This collection made me feel soft and scorched at the same time. A Rebellion of Care doesn’t posture or perform—it looks you straight in the face and says: I know the world is on fire, but I still want it all. Blueberries and protest signs. Safe communities and bad puns. Grief and joy and something that feels like hope but more weathered.

I’ve been following David Gate’s poems on Instagram for a while now, and when I found out he had a book coming out, I basically launched it straight to the top of my TBR. And honestly? It delivered exactly what I hoped for. These poems are honest, clear, and emotionally unhinged in the way that feels like sitting on your kitchen floor texting your best friend a poem at 2AM. Not because it’s fancy. Because it’s true.

Some of my favorites were “I Am Not Your Cup of Tea” (a personal manifesto for the too-much girls), “Commit to the Bit” (we are all theater kids in the tragedy of late capitalism), and “Friendship Will Save Us” (I wanted to highlight this entire poem and mail it to all my friends with glitter and snacks). But really, there are so many I’ve saved and shared already—and more I’ll come back to when I need them.

This book doesn’t pretend that self-care will save us, or that voting harder will fix what’s broken. It names the ache. It dares to love things anyway. It made me feel seen. And that? That feels radical. Thank you Convergent for the gifted book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

A Rebellion of Care is a collection of poems and essays that tackle a range of topics centered ultimately on the beauty of the human experience.

I don't usually fill my time with Instagram poetry, so I really was unaware of David Gate's online notoriety until I started this book. I'm glad I knew nothing of it, because knowing the author was an "Instagram poet" might have made me not reach for this book, and it really was worth reaching for. When I read the mention of Instagram I thought I'd be suffering pointless little lines about coffee cups and paper rings and the like, but instead what Gate does in A Rebellion of Care is grapple with the unique feeling of existing in this current social moment, of living with the burden of the historical turn of the last five years yet the privilege of continuing to wake up to new mornings. There's no showboating here, but rather an abundance of heart, of care, of the core of humanity. I don't usually fill my time with Instagram poetry, but David Gate will definitely be a regular on my feed from here on out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Convergent Books for the ARC :)

This is my first time reading David Gate's poetry and it reminded me of the first time I discovered the Instagram poetry community. I fell in love with poetry all over again, so thank you for that David.

What I enjoyed about "A Rebellion of Care" is the fact that it can be used as a guidebook to modern day living. It talks about life intertwined with nature, it speaks boldly about faith without being afraid of admitting how religion is not perfect, it talks about love and friendship, and the experiences of a Christian cis-man, and also politics. David Gate is loud and proud about where he stands in history and his poetry is unflinchingly transparent.

I also enjoyed the essays at the beginning of every section, giving us valuable advice, while providing a preview of what kind of poems we can expect.

If you are someone who finds poetry difficult to understand or interpret, I would definitely recommend Gate's book.

The poems are really sweet at times, full of hope and glimmer. Others, though, are a bit too expected, a bit too easy. All in all, a calming, funny, caring voice to read for comfort. It discusses self love, community, church, political conflict, oppression, work, parenting and more.


I will not niche myself / because there is nothing more specific / than the entirety of a person.


Yes, I have good skin / it keeps the rain out and my / vital organs in


Your body is a megaphone / For all that is inside of you

YES! All the stars for this important text. The poems leapt off the page with realism, hope, and relatability. I'm going to be going back to this again and again.

I hadn’t read any poetry since secondary school, some fifteen years ago, and my exposure had been mostly limited to the French literary classics. Poetry was a genre I appreciated, but never really sought out, I stayed firmly in the realm of fiction and novels.

When I saw the cover of this book (and its title), I was instantly drawn in, though I didn’t quite know what to expect. And to be honest, the first few pages left me sceptical. It didn’t look or sound like the poetry I was used to, neither in style nor structure. Yet despite this, I was curious. I didn’t want to stop at a first impression.

Poetry doesn’t need rhyme or literary devices to speak, or to move. That’s what I discovered through David Gate’s words.

His beliefs, his ideas, and the quiet sensitivity he shares throughout this collection quickly won me over. Not every poem resonated with me in the same way, but some struck chords I didn’t expect: truths spoken plainly, and yet with immense beauty and honesty.

I wish I could quote dozens of poems, but I don’t want to spoil the joy for those who are yet to discover this collection.

A tender, powerful rebellion — and a read I’ll return to.

I recently stumbled across peot David Gate on Instagram. I loved the poem that I saw, and then found out that he has a new poetry book coming out called A Rebellion of Care. I was delighted to find it on NetGalley and immediately requested it. I'll admit that I didn't read all of the essays in their entirety because I just wanted to get to the poems. There were a few that didn't resonate with me, but isn't that the case with any poetry collection? For the most part, I really enjoyed the poems. I found them to be very timely, and many were timeless as well.

Thanks to Convergent Books and NetGalley for a review copy of A Rebellion of Care.

Thank you to the publisher and the author. I have followed David for a long time and love his poetry. The formatting of this e-book was a little hard to read, but I plan to purchase the actual books really understand the layout. I loved the writing as always, and I was grateful to get to read this early.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A Rebellion of Care is a compilation of poems divided into different sections. One could say it is divided into different parts and paths of the author's life. Some poems hit home, far too close, others are miles away. I do think this distance in both directions ensures a good poetry book as most people will be able to find a poem that resonates, that might heal them in one way or another.

Each chapter is preluded with an essay, and the first half of the book was masterfully written. Gentle poems with a strong message, or two. Towards the end, especially the last two chapters, this quality dwindled for me. The messages weren't always clear, sometimes two poems were even contradicting each other. While this may be a personal preference, that was not something for me to enjoy. I still wholeheartedly recommend it as I have highlighted quite a few quotes that I want to remember.

David Gate was a guest on my podcast, Meg’s Reading Room, to discuss A REBELLION OF CARE. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/megs-reading-room/id1761060886?i=1000717480664

I was astounded by some of the poems in this book. Beautiful, poetic, thought provoking. My only little thing with the poems is all the religious references but that’s only because I am not religious but I understand how other people will be able to relate to that. Otherwise, some of these poems have changed my perspective on life as someone in her mid twenties and I’ll be thinking about them as I go through life.