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kiaraskene's review
5.0
OMG!!
Such a beautiful expression of trans-ness and queer identity. So incredibly relatable and equally raw. Can’t wait to read Rae’s other works!
Absolute favourite poems: ‘Do more, do better’, ‘it’s all just meta, baby’, ‘I am myself’ - and so many charismatic lines scattered throughout. Do yourself and favour and READ THEIR POEMS!!
Such a beautiful expression of trans-ness and queer identity. So incredibly relatable and equally raw. Can’t wait to read Rae’s other works!
Absolute favourite poems: ‘Do more, do better’, ‘it’s all just meta, baby’, ‘I am myself’ - and so many charismatic lines scattered throughout. Do yourself and favour and READ THEIR POEMS!!
nibs's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Poetry as a genre is something I've been learning how to read and better appreciate. A big part of that has been due to Rae's own enthusiasm for poetry inspiring me to read more.
I love this collection, it's made me realise how great poetry collections can be. They have improved in their craft compared to their earlier collection, Milk Teeth. I annotated so many poems as 'bangers', but I also enjoyed their cheeky poems and ones with beautiful writing. I love it. And it makes me so proud of Rae for all their hard work, and appreciative that they've been getting some recognition (e.g. being shortlisted for the Prime Minister's literary award for poetry).
The poems I marked as 'bangers'. To me, this signified some sort of emotional impact:
I love this collection, it's made me realise how great poetry collections can be. They have improved in their craft compared to their earlier collection, Milk Teeth. I annotated so many poems as 'bangers', but I also enjoyed their cheeky poems and ones with beautiful writing. I love it. And it makes me so proud of Rae for all their hard work, and appreciative that they've been getting some recognition (e.g. being shortlisted for the Prime Minister's literary award for poetry).
The poems I marked as 'bangers'. To me, this signified some sort of emotional impact:
- gut punch
- Husshhh
- Magic 8-ball
- Do more, be better
- Customer Feedback Survey
- What have you done?
- Don't feed
- Somewhat safe
- were
- #NatureIsHealing
- life outside the pouch
- ringtail, in memoriam
- levitate me, lover
- to voyage with loved ones who transition
- you hold a lot of tension in your body
- destination. journey:
- queer platonic love
- it's all just meta, baby
- I am myself
ceilidhnewbury's review
5.0
I've been having A Time with gender dysphoria and anger at the world that makes it such a prevalent and persistent problem. And this collection was so beautiful, it was like meeting someone for the first time and realising all the things you have in common. It made me cry but it also gave me hope.
littlerah's review
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
"you are non-binary enough, no matter what the monsters say" (73).
The best thing about good Australian poetry, is devouring it in one sitting over a cuppa. Rae White's latest Exactly As I Am, is a dizzying exploration and has lingering effects. This is the kind of collection I have already recommended to friends.
"am I being phased out
of society?
TRANS NOT APPROVED" (44).
Something that I really love about White's writing is that they also err on the comedically dark. Whilst they share trauma and torment, and how existence as a non-binary trans person can be, they also offer solace. Satirical comments like golden retriever noises blurring out transphobic slurs and reminders that their existence is non-negotiable. I loved that.
"I hold twinkles of theys & thems
& true-names in my coat pockets" (99).
My favourite section was 'Exist', the poems in there speaking to my own dreams of touch and tactility as a person who borers on the anxious. I felt connected and loved nearly every single poem equally.
On that, some favourites included:
Bloody (17)
if there's nothing out there, why am I searching? (25)
Hot, cold (27)
to rest (52)
bodies / your body (78)
this one room (84)
not unlike love (116).
The best thing about good Australian poetry, is devouring it in one sitting over a cuppa. Rae White's latest Exactly As I Am, is a dizzying exploration and has lingering effects. This is the kind of collection I have already recommended to friends.
"am I being phased out
of society?
TRANS NOT APPROVED" (44).
Something that I really love about White's writing is that they also err on the comedically dark. Whilst they share trauma and torment, and how existence as a non-binary trans person can be, they also offer solace. Satirical comments like golden retriever noises blurring out transphobic slurs and reminders that their existence is non-negotiable. I loved that.
"I hold twinkles of theys & thems
& true-names in my coat pockets" (99).
My favourite section was 'Exist', the poems in there speaking to my own dreams of touch and tactility as a person who borers on the anxious. I felt connected and loved nearly every single poem equally.
On that, some favourites included:
Bloody (17)
if there's nothing out there, why am I searching? (25)
Hot, cold (27)
to rest (52)
bodies / your body (78)
this one room (84)
not unlike love (116).
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