Get Lit: A Review of the sun and her flowers

On October 3rd, 2017, young Canadian poet Rupi Kaur, 25, released her second book of poetry, the sun and her flowers (Andrews McMeel). After her first book, milk and honey, received so much praise since its release in 2015, this second production has been highly anticipated by her readers.

If you have not yet feasted on milk and honey what have you been waiting for? This first book is split into four sections: the hurting, the loving, the breaking and the healing. The poetry in these sections cover themes of abuse, love, loss and self-empowerment. Reading through the collection takes you on an emotional, powerful journey along with the writer herself. Kaur’s experiences seem to blend with your own, whether or not you can directly relate to what inspired these poems.

In contrast, her recently released book, the sun and her flowers, delves even deeper than the last with its focus in content. Like the first, this book is divided into sections. There are five: wilting, falling, rooting, rising and blooming. Themes from milk and honey have followed Kaur in these new verses, as they seem to echo throughout. However, newer topics such as familial experiences, race and immigration carry forth a political ring that makes a statement as well. Much of the book serves as an ode to the poet’s ancestors as well as the world in which we live. Multiple poems nod toward environmentalism through an emphasis on the world’s importance in shaping us. 

A sense of defiance is clear in the writer’s voice through her words of rebellion—meant to reclaim what is already hers. This is displayed through expressions of body positivity, sexuality and confidence. 

What makes Kaur’s poetry so enthralling is her incredible ability to take the universal thoughts shared by most women, and passionately lay it all out on paper in a way for anyone to turn to. Her writing has a way of gripping your attention with its honesty and readability.

Femininity and female empowerment is weaved all throughout Kaur’s writing, making her books excellent additions to any woman’s book collection. Feminist writing itself has become more prominent in the past few years, creating a special place for these specific works in all bookstores as women’s voices become louder than ever. Rupi Kaur’s voice contributes as a beautiful representation of truth through creativity, and her first two collections have well deserved their place amongst the strong writers that have come before her.

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