I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is definitely going on my list of favourite poetry collections, and it gets extra points for having a list of trigger warnings at the beginning. I really wish that was normalised for all books. (The list is: body image, sexual assault, rape, eating disorders, queerphobia, emotional abuse, physical abuse, gore, blood, death, fire.)

The world was full of men who called themselves heroes for crossing boundaries, claiming bodies like prizes. The world still is.

Trista Mateer blends mythology with present, and discusses abuse, rape, body image, queerphobia, but most of all healing, letting go and finding joy. In a way, this is also a retelling of Greek myths, with Aphrodite and the poetess taking turns speaking. There are also wonderful illustrations and reimagined Tarot cards that I loved - I especially love The Lovers card.

Read this book. Because you too deserve to have a goddess help you heal.

We thrive best
like gardens,
not singular plants
in lonely pots