BREATHE
by AJ Turner
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Pub Date 01 Feb 2022 | Archive Date 01 May 2023
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Description
There’s a connection that draws you in. Words that captivate your emotions, bringing you into the thoughts and expressions of the poet. This same connection sometimes brings you to tears while being immersed in truth.
This book of poetry expounds on Urban injustice.
While a mother discusses a way out by just BREATHING, she’s able to come from behind the brick wall. The brick wall that’s stolen our cries, our fears, our mind, our smile, our child; and cause misunderstandings of who, what, why and how we got knocked down!!! All we want to do is bre-e-eathe on the streets where we roam near our homes.
My poems are about the disrespect we suffer because of our beautiful brown skin. Our lives are being taken without regret, and our loved ones suffer this repeatedly day after day.
The richness of our Black history is often overlooked and not identifiable in the lives taken.
I write to expose the wrongs committed against (My) Melanin people that are suffering!! Why? Because of the color of their skin, our skin, when all we want is to Breathe! Poetry draws, it sees the heart and accepts me, allowing me to release and not look back with regrets.
My motto “Blessed” to just BREATHE !!!!!
Advance Praise
"BREATHE makes an impact. BREATHE spotlights the reality of dealing with everyday situations with brown skin and curly hair. Unlike the placating content disguised as radical which serves only to keep people submissive and quiet, BREATHE illustrates the real emotional responses to injustice and unfair situations.
The impact forces introspective contemplation and leaves no room for doubt that racism exists. There’s no question about it. At times the work is chilling. Some poems fan the flames of frustration. Each piece manages to sooth the fire without smothering the flame."
Featured Reviews
Chris B, Reviewer
Thank you netgalley for this poetry collection this beautiful cover caught my eye and i love reading poetry here and there.. One thing about this novel was the poems were so powerful and uplifting and i feel like alot of the readers of this novel will be uplifted i loved how so many poems in this novel rhymed at different times that is my favorite kind of poetry. This book touched down on so many important topics regarding whats going on in the world and other things i loved so many of these poems especially the ones uplifting the reader.
Crown was one of my favorite poems it was so beautiful and uplifting.
I really loved the passion this author had while writing these poems u can see how they came from the heart and have such meaning behind them. I look forward to more poetry in the future because this was a great collection of poems!
Megan B, Reviewer
Powerful, uplifting and eye opening. This set of poems are thought provoking, heartbreaking, harrowing and yet beautiful. AJ Turner has a way with words which grip the reader from the start to finish, showing you the truth and empowering you to take a stand against this injustice.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me access to this title.
Elise A, Bookseller
This was beautiful, powerful and heartfelt. I could feel the emotion and importance behind the poet’s words and thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in her words.
Dora Archie O, Reviewer
This collection is in your face with facts, anguish, rage and a whole lot of words that we shout out loud in our head but never through our mouths as the oppressed.
Thank you Netgalley for the eARC.
Vicky L, Reviewer
Breathe is a short book of poems. They are thought provoking, flow like a river and religiously easy to read but the subject matter is the harsh reality of racism, #icantbreathe There are also gorgeous poems of celebrations #thethreebs
Reviewer 1127884
Thank you, NetGalley for this poetry collection.
This collection is powerful and you can tell how meaningful the author writes because it shows. Meanwhile, there were poems that caught my interest, like Crown and Pillow Talk. It's a quick read with images that are direct. The last poem summed up the collection as a whole, and I loved how it was the perfect poem to close the book. I did enjoy the authentic emotions of these injustices & the frustration and anger.
Natalie H, Reviewer
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Breathe is a short book of poems that pack a punch. A. J. Turner has a gift within her poetry writing and I hope to read more from her going forward. Covering some important and current topics, this book makes you feel and be there in the moment. My favourites were Crown, B-3 women and Born Blind and Been Through, and I found such inspiration throughout this collection. I'd love to listen to an audio of this narrated by the author as poetry read aloud is so much more powerful and this is powerful just being read. You can feel the rawness, pain and passion coming from the author in every one of these poems and I'm so glad I got the chance to read this amazing short collection.
Lea H, Reviewer
Wonderfully written, emotionally raw and unapologetic. These ports wrap up the struggles of being an African American. Highly recommend.
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