Books of poetry that tackle a woman’s sexuality and love life are some of my favorites to read. They’re all so different, they focus on different themes, different types of love, different expressions of sex, etc. And the styles of writing are always so interesting.

Cisneros’ approach to writing about female love and sexuality is unlike any other I have read. The imagery she offers, the insight into each physical and emotional sensation, are striking and visceral. “The fierce obsidian of the tongue in me” (4); “The rainforest disaster, nuclear threat in me” (4); I am the memory that circles your bednights, / that tugs you taut as moon tugs ocean” (5). Word choice, the coupling of images, the metaphors and similes all outline an experience of love, of sexual expression, and of pleasure.

One thing I love about this book is that it doesn’t back away from prioritizing a woman’s pleasure. “Something like water / broke free the prayer / of the heart / the grief of the hands” (19); “an alphabet of limbs / ran urgently / nudged loose a pebble / a pearl / a noose undoing its greed” (19). The descriptions of orgasm are truly incredible. “I have to hunker / my cunt close to the earth, / this little pendulum of mine / ringing, ringing, ringing” (25). I consider myself a deeply sexual woman, so to read someone writing this honestly, this openly about sexual pleasure is something I thoroughly enjoy.

I highly recommend this book.