Damian Tharcisius

Earth & Water Damian Tharcisius

Appreciative but Critical. Personal but not Political. Instructive but Inspirational. Poetry for the TimesIn 2014 the Canadian artist, Rupi Kaur published her first poetry collection: Milk and Honey. In which she engaged subjects ranging from relationships, personal growth, heartache, and healing. From a determinedly feminine perspective. The book was a best seller. The book's popularity, the author's interesting backstory, and her work's controversiality-at least to my mind-meant that all the ingredients were in place for a response. A poetic one. Earth & Water is a poetry collection that responds to every single poem and prose piece found in Milk and Honey. And engages them constructively, appreciatively and where necessary, critically.

This book naturally reflects the pro-masculine sensibilities of the author, whilst being respectful towards the feminine. Given Ms. Kaur's pronouncedly gendered yearnings, meant that something out of the ordinary seemed necessary. As for the 'non-poets' out there: those who feel they have little time for such eccentricities: This book is part literary, part pedagogical, part inspirational writing. Held together by the embrace of a poetic spirit: one that seeks to educate, inspire, and at times perturb. Rest assured, there is something here to suit many a fancy.