Postcolonial Love Poem: Poems

While I myself am not an avid reader of poems or poem collections, when given the chance to read this book through one of my college courses, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed my read of Postcolonial Love Poem.Without spoiling too much about it’s contents, the book is a blend of a variety of poems tying into the author’s experience growing up as a Native American, her identity as both Native American and a lesbian woman, as well as her unfiltered affection for her lover coming through in writing.As I wrote back in the first sentence of my review, I noted that I am hardly an avid reader of poetry or poem collections. I mention that partially to explain how I came across this book, but more importantly to share where exactly my point of view comes from. While my typical genres are romance and realistic fiction, the extent of poetry I partook in before I had read this book essentially boils down to either basic poetry back from childhood or nothing at all. As such, my comprehension of the writing fell off at certain points along the way, but besides those brief moments, most of the poems were beautifully crafted and catered to the genres I already enjoyed.The point I’m essentially trying to make is that even if someone like me can find enjoyment in a book that’s fairly beyond me, maybe you should take a chance on this book like I did.

Many if the poems in this book are so complex and rich with meaning and emotion. They are sexy, intellectual, and awe inspiring.

I admire that the aspirations of Postcolonial Love Poem are grand and restless and world-devouring as literature strives to be, while re-orienting the foundational stories of western culture—the Greek myths (“I, Minotaur”), the Bible (“It Was the Animals”)—with the fresh perspective of a Mojave woman, a basketball player, a voracious reader, a queer artist. Fluently the poems traverse and sustain different scales of subject matter, from love’s intimacy to our nation’s dark history to the otherness of the gods. The luminous specificity about a landscape and context that I share (the deserts of the Southwest, an identity as a queer artist of color) does its part for what is one of the most important cultural acts of our times: to widen the embrace of the culture to those whose lives were previously unknown, discounted, elided.

I enjoyed the unique use of language and images.

My favorite parts about this particular collection are Diaz's focus on basketball, water, the body, and language. What I most appreciate about her poetry, in this collection and in When My Brother Was an Aztec, is how obvious it is that she has chosen every single word - every.single.one. - with careful consideration and mesmerizing craft. Every word leaves an impact and every poem stays with you, keeping you company throughout the collection and lingering afterwards, haunting you like a disembodied, whispered word in an empty room. I was so excited for this collection and it did not disappoint. Will re-read, recommend, re-read, recommend, and re-read until people stop listening--and then I'll keep it up. Buy now and keep it close, friends!P.S. The Sherman Alexie mention... my HEART.

I primarily bought this book because I read “Grief Work” and “From Desire Field” online, loved them, and wanted a physical copy. Also, I *love* love poems and latter of those two poems gave me the impression it was setting up a theme for the book.But no, no, and no. Firstly, “Grief Work” has been drastically changed to fit the themes of the rest of the book. Secondly, there are very few love poems and the ones in there are very focused on the body/sex (a lot of talk about hips and breasts). Nothing wrong with that inherently but “Grief Work” and “Desire Field” was more heady - more about the relationship itself or emotions surrounding it than the physical and I was expecting something more like that I suppose?Finally, I knew from the description it would be about race too but given the title and the year it won the award, I thought it would be about something trendy about generational trauma (I shouldn’t have assumed) and coming to terms with racism in our modern society (shouldn’t have assumed that either). That’s not the case. In my interpretation, there’s just so much anger in these poems — or at the very least, jaded cynicism. I really sympathize but it’s not what I enjoy reading in my free time.Overall, there are only two love poems that I loved in this: “Desire Field” and “If I Should Come Upon Your House Lonely In The West Texas Desert” which is kinda sad given there’s 40 poems in the book. Gonna keep it because I read it but I ain’t happy about it. The title was super misleading and I feel lied to.

Diaz does a remarkable thing with this collection. Combining various aspects of her heritage, life experience, and pure artistry, Diaz gives us poems that will make us laugh, cry, and feel a full range of the emotions that fall in between.

This is a book for our time. It speaks to the issues of justice, race, and the environment. The poet has a wide knowledge of Indigenous stories and Greek myths, creating an entertaining and informative read of depth and creativity. I highly recommend this as among the finest of recent poetry books.

Absolutely love her style of writing! Truly an enjoyable experience of reading her words. Can’t wait to read more of her works

I was so excited to receive this collection, after reading all of the wonderful reviews. I was not disappointed! Raw and emotional, lyrical and moving - I am loving every nuance and each crafted line. Highly recommended.

Loved this book of poetry. The title poem is stunning and its quality writing all the way through.

First time reading Natalie Diaz, I'm in awe of how beautifully she writes.