Here’s to International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate “the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.  The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity” (https://www.internationalwomensday.com)

You might ask, what am I reading on International Women’s Day?  As part of a CanadianContent Bingo challenge, I have finished Milk and Honey, a feminist book of poetry and drawings by Rupi Kaur.  Those of you that are followers will know that poetry is not my typical genre of choice and if I am honest, my poetry of late has been full of children’s poetry ranging from Dr. Suess to Shel Silverstein!

In the spirit of honouring women, I will share that this is a very personal collection of poems which are divided into sections of:  the hurting, the loving, the breaking and the healing.  At times, her poem and prose are raw, visual and personal sharing insight into relationships of both pain and love.  At times, her writing is uncomfortable and fairly explicit, focusing on abuse and disrespect of women.

The author is originally from India but moved to Toronto as a girl.  It is interesting to note that Milk and Honey was originally self-published before being accepted by a publisher 4 months later and being re-released.

I think it is fabulous that we have the freedom to write intimate feelings and share what our thoughts through poetry.  We have the freedom to read, and the freedom to choose what we read.  Although this is not necessarily a book that I would read again , I applaud this young author for her honesty, creativity and for the intimacy of her writing!

As a side note, the other book that I am reading which is relevant to International Women’s Day is The Right to Be Cold, which is a memoir of a strong woman from the Arctic striving to protect and nurture her community.  This is one of the 5 books being defended for Canada Reads.