It was the book itself and it was trying to put into words how to flourish. Not “how to” exactly but that the act of flourishing might be possible.

If you’re looking for a beautifully written collection of poetry, add Flourish by Jacqueline Turner to your list.

From the first poem, “Beauty will no long be forbidden,” I was hooked. This book is small (coming in at just over 100 pages), but packs a powerful punch that will stay with you well after finishing.

Let freedom (finally) be the beauty factor: “In one another we will never be lacking.”

It’s divided into four sections: “Flourish: Studies,” “New Nostalgia,” “Flourish: Poems,” and “Flourish: Declarative Sentences.” The writing style changes throughout each section, but the writing remains lyrical and thought-provoking. Some poems are written as prose, while others use verse. It’s a wonderful mixture, and shows how talented the author is.

Reading is a space that makes multiple lines of thought emerge or reading is a space to follow someone else’s thought so thoroughly we can quiet our own.

There are a couple different themes throughout the book, but the one that grabbed my attention and kept me hooked was the author’s reflections on reading. It’s easy to associate writers with literature, obviously they write stories, but consuming their thoughts on the act of reading isn’t something overtly common. These musing were entertaining, relatable, and wonderfully written. There are also references to other author’s work, which served as an opportunity for reflection, and an excuse to add more books to my own TBR.

This collection is full of personal experiences, and offers a glimpse into the author’s personal life. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys poetry, or anyone who wants to use poetry as an outlet to reflect on their own life.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley. Flourish came out on September 17, 2019, and can be purchased wherever books are sold.