This was the most generous love letter to wake up to. I'm deeply moved that this book has found such a meaningful place in your heart. It never ceases to amaze me that something I wrote nearly eight years ago—despite my occasional dismissal of its relevance with the passing of time and newer work in my hands—continues to quietly weave its way into the lives of others, speaking anew.
Your words are a beautiful reminder of poetry’s enduring nature: how it can remain alive long after the poems are written and hearts have shifted. Thank you for sharing this gift. All my love (and apricots) Tess x
My heart is bursting!!!! — these words are SO special to hear, thanks for taking the time to read and comment 💚🥹 and thank you so much for sharing this work of art with the world <3 know it will be cherished for years! 💌
This was a lovely read! "My" poetry books are American Pilgrimage by Mary Oliver & Spring Comes to Chicago by Campbell Mcgrath :) The former was the book that got me into poetry- and something I read every fall, especially- and the latter I took with me everywhere until it literally fell apart lol.
I’m so inspired!! The two poetry books I have are Rupi Kaur’s Milk and Honey and The Sun and Her Flowers. A cute little detail - they were both given to me by my boyfriend (before he was my boyfriend!) in our early high school years. Going to open them up now as an evening ritual ✨
I have many favorite collections, but my absolute favorite poetry collection is my life’s collection. I’ve been writing poetry since I was very young (though I thought of it as writing songs back then), and my poetry has seen and beared witness with me through all phases of my life. I even did a creative thesis in college which involved writing a poetry collection.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful ode. I’m happy you found a poetry collection that speaks to your soul. :)
Your life’s collection 🥹 that’s so beautiful. And yes! Documenting through poetry is so special, as the memories your words hold take you right back to those moments, I’m sure!
I had a similar experience with poetry. All through my twenties I was an outspoken poetry-hater.
And yet, now here I am in my thirties, meeting monthly with accomplished poets, publishing and publicly reading my poems at events, and finding a kind of rhythm by which the words and ideas puzzle themselves out.
What changed? I begrudgingly became enthralled in college working on staff for a literary journal. Reading through the slush and having lively discussions about it, I came to see why others loved it so much. I came to find some of those words that I’d thought for so long were mine alone.
Wow, what a journey! I’m so happy you stayed open-minded and eventually made it to the other side. “I came to find some of those words that I’d thought for so long were mine alone” —- exactly!! what a gift poetry is. Thanks for the comment :)
Thanks for the comment! Glad you enjoyed. And thank you for sharing your first poetry love (what a beautiful way to put that) — how special to have found poetry that speaks to your soul.
oh, I love this! I love that you've taken the book so slowly - as a poet myself, it's helpful to remember that poetry is meant to be savored as often as it devoured.
Oh my gosh I had a very similar arc with poetry. In high school I thought I hated poetry and had the same critique you did. But now I’ve found the genres and styles I love reading (and writing)
Same here - I feel A-level English lit took away so much of the enjoyment of reading - though thinking back now there was a poem about and onion by Carol Ann Duffy which I need to resign up as I think I would get it now
I literally just commented on one of your notes and then saw this. I don’t know anyone else who is familiar with Tess Guinery and her book The Apricot Memoirs but I took that book with me to the hospital when my daughter was born and read it constantly those first few months. It holds a really special place for me and I just reconnected with her work this week. Talk about serendipity 😂
Oh my gosh 🥹 that’s such a special moment to have attached to this book! I love that we have a shared love for apricot memoirs — but at totally different stages of life 💚 so serendipitous! I love it.
This was the most generous love letter to wake up to. I'm deeply moved that this book has found such a meaningful place in your heart. It never ceases to amaze me that something I wrote nearly eight years ago—despite my occasional dismissal of its relevance with the passing of time and newer work in my hands—continues to quietly weave its way into the lives of others, speaking anew.
Your words are a beautiful reminder of poetry’s enduring nature: how it can remain alive long after the poems are written and hearts have shifted. Thank you for sharing this gift. All my love (and apricots) Tess x
My heart is bursting!!!! — these words are SO special to hear, thanks for taking the time to read and comment 💚🥹 and thank you so much for sharing this work of art with the world <3 know it will be cherished for years! 💌
'When a poetry book has tangible memories, past versions of self, and specific moments attached to it — it becomes more than a poetry book.'
This is such a beautiful quote- it encapsulates my feelings about poetry.
This was a lovely read! "My" poetry books are American Pilgrimage by Mary Oliver & Spring Comes to Chicago by Campbell Mcgrath :) The former was the book that got me into poetry- and something I read every fall, especially- and the latter I took with me everywhere until it literally fell apart lol.
I’m so inspired!! The two poetry books I have are Rupi Kaur’s Milk and Honey and The Sun and Her Flowers. A cute little detail - they were both given to me by my boyfriend (before he was my boyfriend!) in our early high school years. Going to open them up now as an evening ritual ✨
I like that you admit to still having 15 poems to read and are savoring them. I often rush through books. What's the rush?
I love this so much :) i guess i have to go find my own!
I love this so much! It looks like such a beautiful book
It’s a gorgeous book! A work of it in itself.
I have many favorite collections, but my absolute favorite poetry collection is my life’s collection. I’ve been writing poetry since I was very young (though I thought of it as writing songs back then), and my poetry has seen and beared witness with me through all phases of my life. I even did a creative thesis in college which involved writing a poetry collection.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful ode. I’m happy you found a poetry collection that speaks to your soul. :)
Your life’s collection 🥹 that’s so beautiful. And yes! Documenting through poetry is so special, as the memories your words hold take you right back to those moments, I’m sure!
Looks like a beautiful book. My book is the works of John Keats. I have a few copies that are scribbled in, torn apart, and weathered down.
I absolutely love that. You’ve made it your own work of art <3 how special!
That’s a great way to think about it!
I had a similar experience with poetry. All through my twenties I was an outspoken poetry-hater.
And yet, now here I am in my thirties, meeting monthly with accomplished poets, publishing and publicly reading my poems at events, and finding a kind of rhythm by which the words and ideas puzzle themselves out.
What changed? I begrudgingly became enthralled in college working on staff for a literary journal. Reading through the slush and having lively discussions about it, I came to see why others loved it so much. I came to find some of those words that I’d thought for so long were mine alone.
Wow, what a journey! I’m so happy you stayed open-minded and eventually made it to the other side. “I came to find some of those words that I’d thought for so long were mine alone” —- exactly!! what a gift poetry is. Thanks for the comment :)
Such a beautiful post. I love poetry. My first love was John O’Donohue’s To Bless the Space Between Us. His poetry moves my Soul through me!
Thanks for the comment! Glad you enjoyed. And thank you for sharing your first poetry love (what a beautiful way to put that) — how special to have found poetry that speaks to your soul.
oh, I love this! I love that you've taken the book so slowly - as a poet myself, it's helpful to remember that poetry is meant to be savored as often as it devoured.
Totally! It can be both <3
Oh my gosh I had a very similar arc with poetry. In high school I thought I hated poetry and had the same critique you did. But now I’ve found the genres and styles I love reading (and writing)
Same here - I feel A-level English lit took away so much of the enjoyment of reading - though thinking back now there was a poem about and onion by Carol Ann Duffy which I need to resign up as I think I would get it now
I feel like it’s common for so many!! But happy we made it to the other side 🫶
I literally just commented on one of your notes and then saw this. I don’t know anyone else who is familiar with Tess Guinery and her book The Apricot Memoirs but I took that book with me to the hospital when my daughter was born and read it constantly those first few months. It holds a really special place for me and I just reconnected with her work this week. Talk about serendipity 😂
Oh my gosh 🥹 that’s such a special moment to have attached to this book! I love that we have a shared love for apricot memoirs — but at totally different stages of life 💚 so serendipitous! I love it.