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Submerge
Organized in three sections, Submerge explores immersion in and release from trauma, mental illness, and loss. Part one, “Immerse,” reflects on birth and beginnings while exploring themes of love, self-discovery, and cultural history. Part two, “Drown,” examines mental illness, trauma, and loss. Part three, “Emerge,” takes lessons from water and begins a journey toward healing through self-care and gratitude. Throughout the collection, Robinson’s disarming candor and supportive message inspire and empower.
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Published June 27, 2023
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About the author
K.Y. Robinson
6 books341 followersK.Y. Robinson is an introverted writer based in Houston, Texas. She began writing poetry and short stories in her pre-teens after secretly reading letters that her mother wrote to God tucked inside her bible. They taught her a great lesson on vulnerability. As a withdrawn child suffering from an undiagnosed mental illness, Robinson spent a lot of time alone. Writing naturally became her sanctuary.
With unapologetic candor and vivid imagery, Robinson draws inspiration from being a woman of color, trauma and mental illness survivor, and hopeless romantic. She believes in undressing every emotion until they’re naked and have no where else to turn to but pages. She believes that poetry is the weapon and the healer.
With unapologetic candor and vivid imagery, Robinson draws inspiration from being a woman of color, trauma and mental illness survivor, and hopeless romantic. She believes in undressing every emotion until they’re naked and have no where else to turn to but pages. She believes that poetry is the weapon and the healer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
February 12, 2021
''as i got older the daydreams came to an end. i saw the magic my parents weaved whenever they made something out of nothing. i learned to count my blessings and stopped wishing for someone else's life.''
I have got so many favorites in this collection that it's really difficult for me to pick up a particular set of lines to quote.
This collection talks about a disturbed childhood, first love, desire, friendship, womanhood, longing in the first section.
The second section talks about breakup, puppy love, racism, a hurricane disaster, on losing a loved one, mental illness, online dating, depression, loneliness.
The third section talks about writing, knowing own self, acceptance, gratitude, fight, hope, mental illness, forgiveness, healing,
I love this one so much!!!!
Thank you so much for providing me this copy of #Submerge #NetGalley
I sure would love to reread this collection.
I have got so many favorites in this collection that it's really difficult for me to pick up a particular set of lines to quote.
This collection talks about a disturbed childhood, first love, desire, friendship, womanhood, longing in the first section.
The second section talks about breakup, puppy love, racism, a hurricane disaster, on losing a loved one, mental illness, online dating, depression, loneliness.
The third section talks about writing, knowing own self, acceptance, gratitude, fight, hope, mental illness, forgiveness, healing,
I love this one so much!!!!
Thank you so much for providing me this copy of #Submerge #NetGalley
I sure would love to reread this collection.
September 12, 2019
The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger warnings for this book: mental illness, sexual trauma, self-harm, racism, and violence.
This poetry collection didn't work for me and I'm quite sad about it. I was so happy to have the chance to read something by K.Y. Robinson because she's an author that's been on my radar for a while now. Unfortunately I was a bit disappointed by this poetry collection. Nothing really resonated with me and at times the continuous metaphors with water were just heavy and I felt the need for something different. My favourite section is probably the last one, "Emerge", which shows a journey toward healing through self-care and gratitude.
Trigger warnings for this book: mental illness, sexual trauma, self-harm, racism, and violence.
This poetry collection didn't work for me and I'm quite sad about it. I was so happy to have the chance to read something by K.Y. Robinson because she's an author that's been on my radar for a while now. Unfortunately I was a bit disappointed by this poetry collection. Nothing really resonated with me and at times the continuous metaphors with water were just heavy and I felt the need for something different. My favourite section is probably the last one, "Emerge", which shows a journey toward healing through self-care and gratitude.
January 5, 2024
"This was when I learned that boys like you only wanted girls like me in the shadows"
FU*K YOU GARY... I detest boys like you!😤😤😤
Beyond blown away and literally in tears what an emotional JOURNEY!
The writing was so beautiful and the comparisons of everything to the ocean was perfect.
Showing a whole new way to see life, such a strong message.
FU*K YOU GARY... I detest boys like you!😤😤😤
Beyond blown away and literally in tears what an emotional JOURNEY!
The writing was so beautiful and the comparisons of everything to the ocean was perfect.
Showing a whole new way to see life, such a strong message.
June 24, 2023
Beautifully written poetry about heartache, grief, and mental illness using water as its concept. I love poetry books with a concept.😩✋🏼
This is a serve 💙
This is a serve 💙
June 30, 2020
I don't know why I keep doing this to myself and pushing myself through Andrews McMeel Publishing reads!! They're so hard to read at times because they're all sort of the same and the layout of it drives me crazy.
One thing I will say about this series of poems was that the middle of this series was soooo beautiful, I cried. I cried when K.Y. Robinson wrote about her mother surviving Hurricane Harvey juxtaposed against losing her husband. I was reading the book sitting directly across from my own mother and it's just something about black women speaking about the strength that lays within but also the pain and loss of love and the length of time that goes beyond physical time that we give to others and that we attach to spaces like our homes that just hit me so hard. When I was a kid until when I was about in my late teens we lived in this one place for like 15 years. My mom loved that place but to me that place was filled with so much of every emotion that I was kind of happy to leave it behind and move. However, the way my mom still talks about it.. you can just tell it's something that she'll never move away from in her mind. KY Robinson's Hurricane Harvey I & Hurricane Harvey II just triggered those thoughts and memories in me.
To the Black Women and Femmes Seen As Trees and Not Flowers was another piece that hit me hard.
Yo that shit goes hard. Like whew.. bruh, I read that and was like -- yes, yes girl.. you hit the nail on the head, sis. This series had a lot of great and relatable moments. So many powerful passages about battling love and loss and dealing with our mental health as black women. I wanted to give this series 5 stars but there were problems.
Towards the end of Submerge, it got really diary-like and muddled. The beginning segment, Immerse, was way too saccharinely sweet that I cringed so hard reading it. I almost broke my fucking jaw cringing at it. Upon further reflection, I know now post-read that I was just mad at the love, her wanting and her need to love.. K.Y. Robinson speaks about how much she loves someone.. the things we do for love, the ride or die mentality, taking waste dudes back after they've cheated, wanting them to suffer. I kept thinking why we doing this? Why? Why do we always do this. I hated the beginning of her series post-read because I felt like I knew the hill was coming that we were about to jump off of. It's crazy. I could sense it. I still don't like it though and I feel those poems in Immerse didn't have the transparency or honesty that Drown had or the reflections on the everyday struggle of life that Emerge possessed.
The segment I most related to was Drown. I don't know what that says about me, but I fought my way through Immerse and could barely stick with Emerge. Drown was a solid solid solid body of work. There were so many relatable moments in Drown that I felt like she was in my head. I wanted to send every page to my sister and be like yo, look at this. River Running Red is a reflection on the life black mothers, and black people are living through on the daily. The few illustrations in this series were also beautiful.
I recommend it, expressly for Drown.
One thing I will say about this series of poems was that the middle of this series was soooo beautiful, I cried. I cried when K.Y. Robinson wrote about her mother surviving Hurricane Harvey juxtaposed against losing her husband. I was reading the book sitting directly across from my own mother and it's just something about black women speaking about the strength that lays within but also the pain and loss of love and the length of time that goes beyond physical time that we give to others and that we attach to spaces like our homes that just hit me so hard. When I was a kid until when I was about in my late teens we lived in this one place for like 15 years. My mom loved that place but to me that place was filled with so much of every emotion that I was kind of happy to leave it behind and move. However, the way my mom still talks about it.. you can just tell it's something that she'll never move away from in her mind. KY Robinson's Hurricane Harvey I & Hurricane Harvey II just triggered those thoughts and memories in me.
To the Black Women and Femmes Seen As Trees and Not Flowers was another piece that hit me hard.
everyone expects you to be a tree.
to bloom without sunlight and water.
to be anything but a flower.
to be only visible for your resilience
and the fruit you bear.
to withstand carvers confessing
their love for everyone else but you.
Yo that shit goes hard. Like whew.. bruh, I read that and was like -- yes, yes girl.. you hit the nail on the head, sis. This series had a lot of great and relatable moments. So many powerful passages about battling love and loss and dealing with our mental health as black women. I wanted to give this series 5 stars but there were problems.
Towards the end of Submerge, it got really diary-like and muddled. The beginning segment, Immerse, was way too saccharinely sweet that I cringed so hard reading it. I almost broke my fucking jaw cringing at it. Upon further reflection, I know now post-read that I was just mad at the love, her wanting and her need to love.. K.Y. Robinson speaks about how much she loves someone.. the things we do for love, the ride or die mentality, taking waste dudes back after they've cheated, wanting them to suffer. I kept thinking why we doing this? Why? Why do we always do this. I hated the beginning of her series post-read because I felt like I knew the hill was coming that we were about to jump off of. It's crazy. I could sense it. I still don't like it though and I feel those poems in Immerse didn't have the transparency or honesty that Drown had or the reflections on the everyday struggle of life that Emerge possessed.
The segment I most related to was Drown. I don't know what that says about me, but I fought my way through Immerse and could barely stick with Emerge. Drown was a solid solid solid body of work. There were so many relatable moments in Drown that I felt like she was in my head. I wanted to send every page to my sister and be like yo, look at this. River Running Red is a reflection on the life black mothers, and black people are living through on the daily. The few illustrations in this series were also beautiful.
I recommend it, expressly for Drown.
September 16, 2019
Robinson brilliantly plays devil's advocate in this stunning, cohesive poetry collection. Love can heal; but it can hurt. Water can replenish you; but it can drown. A second poetry collection doesn't have to feel like a sequel; it can be a brand new start.
October 13, 2019
review to come on my blog. but YOU NEED TO READ THIS RIGHT NOW
May 30, 2020
This book was so beautiful. Not going to lie one of my new favorites. The way that the author compared everything to the ocean and water was amazing. It's such an eye-opening book.
October 8, 2019
Reading Submerge made me mourn old boyfriends, reminisce on stolen kisses, and recall times I’ve drowned in feelings much too deep to describe with words. Sometimes short and sweet, other times longer and more complicated, these poems gave me all the feels.
I struggled with a rating for this one because I wade in the middle. There are poems I read that didn’t affect me as deeply as I’d hoped. And there are others that moved me more than I’d expected. All in all, I must say I appreciate the journey Submerge took me on.
I witnessed the makings of a woman, complete with her desires, her hopes, and her need to be loved. Then I watched her drown in all the emotions that come with these things, overtaking her in waves. And as the last section of the book came to a close, this same woman emerged offering bits of hope, not only for herself, but for other women who share similar experiences. So I’d like to believe I was moved by the poems that were meant for me and the same will be true for others who read.
Thank you K.Y. Robinson for sharing these parts of yourself with us readers. Never stop lending your voice to the often voiceless.
Special thanks to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC of Submerge in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 Stars
I struggled with a rating for this one because I wade in the middle. There are poems I read that didn’t affect me as deeply as I’d hoped. And there are others that moved me more than I’d expected. All in all, I must say I appreciate the journey Submerge took me on.
I witnessed the makings of a woman, complete with her desires, her hopes, and her need to be loved. Then I watched her drown in all the emotions that come with these things, overtaking her in waves. And as the last section of the book came to a close, this same woman emerged offering bits of hope, not only for herself, but for other women who share similar experiences. So I’d like to believe I was moved by the poems that were meant for me and the same will be true for others who read.
Thank you K.Y. Robinson for sharing these parts of yourself with us readers. Never stop lending your voice to the often voiceless.
Special thanks to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC of Submerge in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 Stars
November 24, 2019
*I received an ARC of this book from Andrews McMeel Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Robinson’s new poetry collection works with a variety of personal topics connecting them all with the image of water in different forms. As with her first collection, I approached the book knowing it is not necessarily my kind of poetry. This said, with poetry I enjoy exploring outside my comfort zone. My first experience with Robinson’s work was wonderful. I enjoyed her honesty, wit and imagery. With this second book, it was no different.
The book is divided in three sections. I must honestly say that at first, I was fearful, I wasn’t feeling too connected to the poetic voice. But I kept going, motivated by evocative images such as:
“when your hands felt like sunrise
over the cold horizon
i become sometimes”
In the first section of the book, the poem “for nina simone” was breathtaking. A seemingly simple three-lined poem that says so much. This is probably one of the things I most like about Robinson, she can say lots without writing lengthy poems. I think this has to do with her honest poetic voice, it sometimes feels like one is being witness to a confession of sorts, as with:
“i never thought loving you
would be an orchestra of ache”
Another topic that we find in this poetry collection is race. The speaker talks about her body and the relationship she and others have had with it. To speak about race in America is also to speak about violence, about how black bodies are viewed differently, marginalized and so many black voices silenced. Robinson’s poem “river running red” talks beautifully about this, in a heartbreaking way.
“i think of my nephew and how his kind eyes and
smile matter less than the color of his skin”
The topic that most resonated with me on this occasion was the hurricane related poems. Living in a country that was hit by Hurricane Maria two years ago, I can relate. I found the imagery of water so familiar, so saddening, so real.
Robinson’s poems about mental health are some of the best I have read up to today. Many poets are writing about this important topic, trying to break away the stigma. Robinson is definitely a significant voice in this matter, with her poem “in my mind” I felt seen:
“i become a conveyor belt of creativity and productivity
and feel useless when the factory shuts down”
The book ends up with poems that are uplifting, that remind the reader that there is till hope, with lines such as:
“i want laughter to fill in the gaps where grief has made a home”
Robinson definitely hit home with this last section, I really felt the hope I believe she was trying to convey. I ended up smiling at the screen when I finished the book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys personal poetry, specially if raw and honest is your thing. Also, if you are looking for well-crafted imagery as an added bonus, this is a good place to find that. I do think that the book makes a good point in stating a trigger warning at the beginning, I do think the topics can be sensitive for some. Even if Robinson’s poetry is not my preferred kind of poetry, I will keep on reading her, I appreciate her voice and her talent for making me feel a varied range of emotions, but also for making me hope.
Robinson’s new poetry collection works with a variety of personal topics connecting them all with the image of water in different forms. As with her first collection, I approached the book knowing it is not necessarily my kind of poetry. This said, with poetry I enjoy exploring outside my comfort zone. My first experience with Robinson’s work was wonderful. I enjoyed her honesty, wit and imagery. With this second book, it was no different.
The book is divided in three sections. I must honestly say that at first, I was fearful, I wasn’t feeling too connected to the poetic voice. But I kept going, motivated by evocative images such as:
“when your hands felt like sunrise
over the cold horizon
i become sometimes”
In the first section of the book, the poem “for nina simone” was breathtaking. A seemingly simple three-lined poem that says so much. This is probably one of the things I most like about Robinson, she can say lots without writing lengthy poems. I think this has to do with her honest poetic voice, it sometimes feels like one is being witness to a confession of sorts, as with:
“i never thought loving you
would be an orchestra of ache”
Another topic that we find in this poetry collection is race. The speaker talks about her body and the relationship she and others have had with it. To speak about race in America is also to speak about violence, about how black bodies are viewed differently, marginalized and so many black voices silenced. Robinson’s poem “river running red” talks beautifully about this, in a heartbreaking way.
“i think of my nephew and how his kind eyes and
smile matter less than the color of his skin”
The topic that most resonated with me on this occasion was the hurricane related poems. Living in a country that was hit by Hurricane Maria two years ago, I can relate. I found the imagery of water so familiar, so saddening, so real.
Robinson’s poems about mental health are some of the best I have read up to today. Many poets are writing about this important topic, trying to break away the stigma. Robinson is definitely a significant voice in this matter, with her poem “in my mind” I felt seen:
“i become a conveyor belt of creativity and productivity
and feel useless when the factory shuts down”
The book ends up with poems that are uplifting, that remind the reader that there is till hope, with lines such as:
“i want laughter to fill in the gaps where grief has made a home”
Robinson definitely hit home with this last section, I really felt the hope I believe she was trying to convey. I ended up smiling at the screen when I finished the book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys personal poetry, specially if raw and honest is your thing. Also, if you are looking for well-crafted imagery as an added bonus, this is a good place to find that. I do think that the book makes a good point in stating a trigger warning at the beginning, I do think the topics can be sensitive for some. Even if Robinson’s poetry is not my preferred kind of poetry, I will keep on reading her, I appreciate her voice and her talent for making me feel a varied range of emotions, but also for making me hope.
August 15, 2022
I have read this book three times now. I know it only says that I've read it twice, but I read it the day I bought it, which was I believe 2018/2019.
I never really understood what I was reading. I was around 13 I'd say when I first read it, so my mind was unable to grasp and comprehend such big feelings. I read this book almost a year ago. August 17th of 2021. Ever since I read it that second time, I thought about it. I couldn't find what to rate it because I was unsure of my opinion.
I have many of the poems marked in my mind.
This book talks of grief and mental illness and life, etc. Something I didn't understand or have very much knowledge on a year ago and beyond. I found myself relating to the way she felt and the way she wrote so beautifully. It was heartbreaking. I never cried reading this. Until today. I finally understood everything she was saying, like she was speaking to me.
This book is beautiful. It's the very first poetry book I ever bought and read without any idea on what it was about. Which may have been the reason I didn't get what was being said. Lately, I've been on a kick of re-reading books I've read in the past, as a way to revisit and see if I can put together the puzzle and find myself being more understanding and sharing empathy (if that makes sense).
This is one of those books that grow on you. When you're young, you don't see what goes on in other's lives. When you're young, everything is new. Dawn, as Johnny from The Outsiders says.
What I'm saying is, I heard her voice, loud and clear. I felt her pain and I grieved for her. I've never felt so moved by a book like this one. I will always carry this with me.
I do apologize for this lousy review. I'm not good with expressing my true feelings with a book, so if there are parts of this that make no sense, I want to apologize. And I want to get it across that I think this book should be read.
I never really understood what I was reading. I was around 13 I'd say when I first read it, so my mind was unable to grasp and comprehend such big feelings. I read this book almost a year ago. August 17th of 2021. Ever since I read it that second time, I thought about it. I couldn't find what to rate it because I was unsure of my opinion.
I have many of the poems marked in my mind.
This book talks of grief and mental illness and life, etc. Something I didn't understand or have very much knowledge on a year ago and beyond. I found myself relating to the way she felt and the way she wrote so beautifully. It was heartbreaking. I never cried reading this. Until today. I finally understood everything she was saying, like she was speaking to me.
This book is beautiful. It's the very first poetry book I ever bought and read without any idea on what it was about. Which may have been the reason I didn't get what was being said. Lately, I've been on a kick of re-reading books I've read in the past, as a way to revisit and see if I can put together the puzzle and find myself being more understanding and sharing empathy (if that makes sense).
This is one of those books that grow on you. When you're young, you don't see what goes on in other's lives. When you're young, everything is new. Dawn, as Johnny from The Outsiders says.
What I'm saying is, I heard her voice, loud and clear. I felt her pain and I grieved for her. I've never felt so moved by a book like this one. I will always carry this with me.
I do apologize for this lousy review. I'm not good with expressing my true feelings with a book, so if there are parts of this that make no sense, I want to apologize. And I want to get it across that I think this book should be read.
December 2, 2019
Since this poetry collection uses every possible water related analogy, word or turn of phrase known to man, or fish, I feel it's only appropriate that I say that this book got entirely lost in a sea of others much like it, and often much better than it.
If I turned to any page of this book I would find the same tone, the same style and the same sea-related narrative about drowning, resurfacing or diving into something; drowning was certainly a favourite simile used here which eventually became so over-used that it lost all meaning or impact to me when, if used once or twice, I ordinarily would have probably quite appreciated it.
I did appreciate a section of this book surrounding depression and mental health; I thought this was a realistic and hard-hitting account of what people with depression experience daily, complete with advisories about what not to say.
However, the overarching theme is invariably about love with a sad and almost regretful undertone. The trouble is, and I said the same about The Chaos of Longing, K.Y.Robinson fails to do anything unique or different to all the other instagram-worthy short poems or snappy prose and so the poetry is ultimately forgettable.
If I turned to any page of this book I would find the same tone, the same style and the same sea-related narrative about drowning, resurfacing or diving into something; drowning was certainly a favourite simile used here which eventually became so over-used that it lost all meaning or impact to me when, if used once or twice, I ordinarily would have probably quite appreciated it.
I did appreciate a section of this book surrounding depression and mental health; I thought this was a realistic and hard-hitting account of what people with depression experience daily, complete with advisories about what not to say.
However, the overarching theme is invariably about love with a sad and almost regretful undertone. The trouble is, and I said the same about The Chaos of Longing, K.Y.Robinson fails to do anything unique or different to all the other instagram-worthy short poems or snappy prose and so the poetry is ultimately forgettable.
March 3, 2022
i lose days at a time.
they pass through
me like water
until everything around me
is in drought.
More like 3.70 ****
This poetry collection has three chapters: Immerse, Drown, and Emerge
Part one, Immerse talks about relationships, broken relationship, desire
Part two, Drown talks about mental illness, depression, loneliness, relationship trauma,
Part three, Emerge talks about how to hang in there, self love, hope, surviving
Some of them are very clear and more like a story than poem, the type i usually dislike from modern poetry but i still enjoyed this one. I feel very connected to part two, Drown, the most. I like the blatant truths, and probably (based on about the author part at the end of the book) it's from Author's personal experience in trauma and mental illness, so how she wrote in this...it's top notch, and i feel it's all very relatable.
I really want to read more works by the author.
they pass through
me like water
until everything around me
is in drought.
More like 3.70 ****
This poetry collection has three chapters: Immerse, Drown, and Emerge
Part one, Immerse talks about relationships, broken relationship, desire
Part two, Drown talks about mental illness, depression, loneliness, relationship trauma,
Part three, Emerge talks about how to hang in there, self love, hope, surviving
Some of them are very clear and more like a story than poem, the type i usually dislike from modern poetry but i still enjoyed this one. I feel very connected to part two, Drown, the most. I like the blatant truths, and probably (based on about the author part at the end of the book) it's from Author's personal experience in trauma and mental illness, so how she wrote in this...it's top notch, and i feel it's all very relatable.
I really want to read more works by the author.
May 16, 2020
i loved the metaphors, even though they were kinda overused (?). and the second&third parts were better than the first one.
the book made my heart ache (and kinda heal it at the same time, if that makes sense).
*note: i received a copy via netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
the book made my heart ache (and kinda heal it at the same time, if that makes sense).
i tried to lay down my burdens
but they clung to my sinful skin
you carry oceans
in your eyes
and won’t let me
close enough
to swim in them
because you know
i would lose myself
and drown
i had never seen that side of me before. my depression turned into a category 4 hurricane. it destroyed and flooded everything in its path.
they think i shouldn’t be depressed because my dreams came true but mental illness doesn’t pack its bags and leave because good things are happening
i thought it was better to feel everything than nothing at all. to grasp the glitter of mania and crawl out of the dark tunnel of depression. but the crash in the end wasn’t worth it anymore
"you don’t look depressed."
many of us dress our depression in the finest of linens and disrobe it in the shadows of our minds
there are no paved roads
to healing
*note: i received a copy via netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
October 14, 2019
Virtually, I am giving K.Y. Robinson a standing ovation. The courage, the rawness, the beautiful truth that K.Y. Robinson shares within her sophomore collection of poetry, I believe, goes beyond the stratosphere. Page 54, I Have a Girlfriend, I found myself close to tears while reading in a public place. Although a gay man myself, I couldn't help but deeply feel the sting and heartache that she paints within this piece. K.Y. Robinson beautifully weaves emotions through the metaphor of water, both drowning and baptizing, emerging washed clean. I definitely recommend this collection to anyone. Because I do not want to part with my own copy, I will have to go out and buy another for family and friends.
April 28, 2020
It wasn’t that I didn’t like this collection. Clearly it caught my attention, I read it in a day. It’s that somewhere along the line, poetry lost its power for me. I consume it and relate to it, but modern poetry lost some of its power when it lost some of its craft. I marked numerous pages, and will read some of these poems again. But I don’t know that it settled into me as I believe poetry is supposed to do.
December 1, 2021
3.5*
Me to the book: it’s not you, it’s me. I feel like I’m kinda not vibing with modern poetry lately?! But at the same time I’ve read some great poetry just a month ago. It just *feels* that way, ya know?
Me to the book: it’s not you, it’s me. I feel like I’m kinda not vibing with modern poetry lately?! But at the same time I’ve read some great poetry just a month ago. It just *feels* that way, ya know?
December 17, 2019
Brilliant. Loving. Healing.
This was so masterful!
This was so masterful!
December 30, 2022
This was a beautiful poetry book filled with touching poems. I highlighted a lot of poems that resonated with me. If you like poetry books give this one a try.
November 29, 2019
Original review
This book was provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Andrews McMeel Publishing and Netgalley!
but when your eyes meet
theirs for the first time,
you become an ocean.
Submerge is a poetry collection about love, friendship, trauma, mental illness, loss, self-harm, racism and violence, and is K.Y. Robinson’s second poetry collection. This collection is divided into three parts: immerse, drown and emerge.
i’ve found new universes in the unfolding nebulas of your eyes.
you are the first one my heart cracked open for.
Submerge is the second book I’ve read by K.Y. Robinson and I was really excited to read this collection. I really loved her first poetry collection, The Chaos of Longing, so I had some high expectations.
your name pooled inside me
and i swallowed every wave
to drown my love for you
I really liked the illustrations used in this collection. It gave it something extra. As for the poems, a lot of them were really beautiful and relatable. I kept on adding and adding more titles to my 'favourite poems' list. I didn’t expect anything else since I loved K.Y. Robinson’s first poetry collection!
when you kissed me it felt like
you were searching for someone
who didn’t exist and i let you because
i wanted to be anyone else but myself.
I’m really looking forward to K.Y. Robinson’s next poetry collection! She’s such an amazing author and all over her poems are so beautiful and or emotional. I highly recommend Submerge!
Favourite poems:
secrets
at first sight
the first kiss
first love
transcend
swept away
fleeting
a flowering friendship
and it was so good
homegirls
submerge
waves of longing
soluble
when they leave
the sailor and the siren
drowning in love
withered
the last time
misplaced kisses
gary
i have a girlfriend
reputation
on losing my father
how are you?
no one understands
why i write
fight
the cycle
what not to say to someone with mental illness
blossom
This book was provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Andrews McMeel Publishing and Netgalley!
but when your eyes meet
theirs for the first time,
you become an ocean.
Submerge is a poetry collection about love, friendship, trauma, mental illness, loss, self-harm, racism and violence, and is K.Y. Robinson’s second poetry collection. This collection is divided into three parts: immerse, drown and emerge.
i’ve found new universes in the unfolding nebulas of your eyes.
you are the first one my heart cracked open for.
Submerge is the second book I’ve read by K.Y. Robinson and I was really excited to read this collection. I really loved her first poetry collection, The Chaos of Longing, so I had some high expectations.
your name pooled inside me
and i swallowed every wave
to drown my love for you
I really liked the illustrations used in this collection. It gave it something extra. As for the poems, a lot of them were really beautiful and relatable. I kept on adding and adding more titles to my 'favourite poems' list. I didn’t expect anything else since I loved K.Y. Robinson’s first poetry collection!
when you kissed me it felt like
you were searching for someone
who didn’t exist and i let you because
i wanted to be anyone else but myself.
I’m really looking forward to K.Y. Robinson’s next poetry collection! She’s such an amazing author and all over her poems are so beautiful and or emotional. I highly recommend Submerge!
Favourite poems:
secrets
at first sight
the first kiss
first love
transcend
swept away
fleeting
a flowering friendship
and it was so good
homegirls
submerge
waves of longing
soluble
when they leave
the sailor and the siren
drowning in love
withered
the last time
misplaced kisses
gary
i have a girlfriend
reputation
on losing my father
how are you?
no one understands
why i write
fight
the cycle
what not to say to someone with mental illness
blossom
November 15, 2019
I am aware that poetry can come from either; intense awareness of experiences or be an emotional response that’s specifically arranged for its meaning, sound, and rhythm. At times I feel I can understand and really appreciate what the poet is trying to convey. Other times I can only appreciate that someone took their time, experience, and energy to express it openly to the world. I find I am in the second group on this poetry collection. So I have purchased the poet’s audiobook that is read by K.Y. Robinson, herself. I feel I will get more out of a second reading while listening to the creator read her own poems in her own voice. I will update later when I get to listen/read for the second time.
Submerge was kindly provided by NetGalley. The audio-book from Audible will be available on the book's release date Oct. 8, 2019.
Update: My second reading, I listened to K.Y. Robinson's voice as I read along. The audiobook formed a rhythm that came more alive with her voice. I did enjoy my second reading a little more, for the audiobook added another layer to my senses.
Submerge was kindly provided by NetGalley. The audio-book from Audible will be available on the book's release date Oct. 8, 2019.
Update: My second reading, I listened to K.Y. Robinson's voice as I read along. The audiobook formed a rhythm that came more alive with her voice. I did enjoy my second reading a little more, for the audiobook added another layer to my senses.
July 5, 2020
This book without a doubt, was one my the favorite books that I read this year so far, unfortunately I feel like if you dont empathize with it, then you won't like this story that much, but a lot of it -to me- was relatable and beautiful written as well.
December 24, 2019
There were some poems that really stood out to me but this wasn't everything I was hoping for, but I bet this could connect with someone else a lot.
March 14, 2020
This poet knows the ocean and water intimately and how it surrounds and permeates us, and I loved the poems about love and the ocean; her poems about her struggles with mental illness and trauma are powerful and necessary also. I felt the ocean in all of her poems, and when I say that, I mean I felt the ocean on my skin, in my veins, in my heartbeat, and at the same time, I wish I could share my oceanic self the way the poet did here. A great collection of poetry from a beautiful soul.
Formless (haiku)
The water inside
Billowing and cascading
Takes different shapes
At first sight
When your eyes meet
Theirs for the first time
You become an ocean,
Waves inside you crash
And drench you in a thing
You’re too afraid to name
The first kiss
Our lips were waves
Crashing into each other
A safe place to drown
Like water
I will always remember
To quench you
Be your stillness
And pour myself
Into you like water
And it was so good
You opened a corner of my heart
And shined a light
And it was so good
You drop-kicked my shell
And made it safe to crawl out
And it was so good
You laced every room with love
Every time you smiles
And it was so good
I saw my soul reflected
In the river of yours
And it was so good.
For Nina Simone
The trembling
Water of your voice
Is a baptism
Soluble
I search for water
In your mouth
To dissolve the salt
Others leave behind
Ebbed
Your body ebbed
Away from mine
When i needed
water the most.
I wake up wading
In knee deep ache
Reaching for you in the dark
Sandcastles
An ocean of men made
Sandcastles of me
And washed me away
With their waves
After their longing receded
Weightless
I want a love
That feels weightless
In the thick of it all
A hopeful horizon
To stretch my arms out to
A love that never leaves
Me empty handed
Formless (haiku)
The water inside
Billowing and cascading
Takes different shapes
At first sight
When your eyes meet
Theirs for the first time
You become an ocean,
Waves inside you crash
And drench you in a thing
You’re too afraid to name
The first kiss
Our lips were waves
Crashing into each other
A safe place to drown
Like water
I will always remember
To quench you
Be your stillness
And pour myself
Into you like water
And it was so good
You opened a corner of my heart
And shined a light
And it was so good
You drop-kicked my shell
And made it safe to crawl out
And it was so good
You laced every room with love
Every time you smiles
And it was so good
I saw my soul reflected
In the river of yours
And it was so good.
For Nina Simone
The trembling
Water of your voice
Is a baptism
Soluble
I search for water
In your mouth
To dissolve the salt
Others leave behind
Ebbed
Your body ebbed
Away from mine
When i needed
water the most.
I wake up wading
In knee deep ache
Reaching for you in the dark
Sandcastles
An ocean of men made
Sandcastles of me
And washed me away
With their waves
After their longing receded
Weightless
I want a love
That feels weightless
In the thick of it all
A hopeful horizon
To stretch my arms out to
A love that never leaves
Me empty handed
September 17, 2019
⭐⭐ 2 Stars
A collection of heartfelt poetry that sometimes bordered on the line between lyrical and amaturish.
Although I enjoyed the politically relevant poetry I found some of the shorter poems to just not pack the same kind of punch as the longer ones. It felt like the writer was just trying to fill up space between the longer poems so this could be a book rather than a pamphlet.
My favourite poems in the collection were about the writer's experiences as a woman of colour and how this has impacted her life personally along with the lives of her family and friends. I would love to read a collection that focussed more on this rather than the female experience as a whole. And I would read K.Y. Robinson work again because it takes a good poet to have an entire book using one motif and for it not to get boring.
But I only bookmarked 7 poems out of this 160-page collection which summarises my feelings on it as a whole. Not life-changing but not terrible.
⚠Trigger Warnings⚠: mental illness, sexual trauma, self-harm, racism, and violence.
I received this book as an ARC via NetGalley📚 in exchange for an honest review.
A collection of heartfelt poetry that sometimes bordered on the line between lyrical and amaturish.
Although I enjoyed the politically relevant poetry I found some of the shorter poems to just not pack the same kind of punch as the longer ones. It felt like the writer was just trying to fill up space between the longer poems so this could be a book rather than a pamphlet.
My favourite poems in the collection were about the writer's experiences as a woman of colour and how this has impacted her life personally along with the lives of her family and friends. I would love to read a collection that focussed more on this rather than the female experience as a whole. And I would read K.Y. Robinson work again because it takes a good poet to have an entire book using one motif and for it not to get boring.
But I only bookmarked 7 poems out of this 160-page collection which summarises my feelings on it as a whole. Not life-changing but not terrible.
⚠Trigger Warnings⚠: mental illness, sexual trauma, self-harm, racism, and violence.
I received this book as an ARC via NetGalley📚 in exchange for an honest review.
September 16, 2019
Okay. This collection of poems blew me away for lack of a better term. I was submerged the whole way through. I laughed, cried and just felt that relatable feeling that you can feel in the core of your soul. The poems bring up some heavy topics ie. Suicide, depression, trauma, and sexual assault. There is a warning in the beginning of the book. I could relate to the writer on so many different levels. Some pages more then others. Even on those pages o couldn't relate; I really felt for the writer and could empathize with her. I plan on buying this the day it's released it will be a great addition to my poetry shelf!
Thank you for letting me review. I appreciate it and am honored. Despite getting to review the advanced ebook through Net Galley, all thoughts are my own and are not influenced by the generosity. I truly and thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The way Robinson uses water to give us an analogy of.sprts throughout the book is pure genius. It helps you to feel the emotions that are expressed and at times gives you a visual of the depth these situations and circumstances have had on her life. 5/5
Thank you for letting me review. I appreciate it and am honored. Despite getting to review the advanced ebook through Net Galley, all thoughts are my own and are not influenced by the generosity. I truly and thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The way Robinson uses water to give us an analogy of.sprts throughout the book is pure genius. It helps you to feel the emotions that are expressed and at times gives you a visual of the depth these situations and circumstances have had on her life. 5/5
September 17, 2019
Any time I pick up a book of poetry, I think of my Irish grandmother, who loved poetry and gave me several poetry books. She died in 2014 and it has been too long since I picked up a collection of poetry. I was provided a free e-book copy of this book by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Submerge is divided into three parts. It can be easy to fly through a book of poetry. The sections helped me to stop and reflect on the poems I had read. The artwork at each section is beautiful and gives a peak into what to expect in the following poems.
The theme of water flows throughout the book, making the poems well connected. This is the first poetry book I've read that has kept on theme so well.
Several poems resonated with me. I felt like they were a gift. Poetry most seems like the soul of the poet laid bare. I'll admit sometimes I struggle with poetry to know if it is memoir or fiction. Submerge is telling a story. The poems about depression and bipolar disorder are accurate. She illustrates with words exactly how it feels, better than I've ever read in any prose or poetry.
Submerge is divided into three parts. It can be easy to fly through a book of poetry. The sections helped me to stop and reflect on the poems I had read. The artwork at each section is beautiful and gives a peak into what to expect in the following poems.
The theme of water flows throughout the book, making the poems well connected. This is the first poetry book I've read that has kept on theme so well.
Several poems resonated with me. I felt like they were a gift. Poetry most seems like the soul of the poet laid bare. I'll admit sometimes I struggle with poetry to know if it is memoir or fiction. Submerge is telling a story. The poems about depression and bipolar disorder are accurate. She illustrates with words exactly how it feels, better than I've ever read in any prose or poetry.
September 16, 2019
I swear I'm not trying to get my Goodreads reading challenge up, I just want to get through some of the shorter reads I have on my NetGalley so I can focus on the longer reads (plus, I haven't read an ARC in an age, I have a lot to catch up on) - oh, of course, I recieved this arc from Netgalley in exchange for a review!
As I've said before, I always find positive reviews really difficult to write. I never know what to say other than "I loved it, so you should totally read it" but...I loved it, so you should totally read it. It just put so much of my thoughts and feelings into words, and I could relate to it so much. With the stuff I couldn't relate to so much, it gave me a new perspective on things that I'm really grateful for.
Maybe I just like a specific kind of poetry rather than disliking all poetry alltogether. I will be reading more from this author in future, absolutely.
As I've said before, I always find positive reviews really difficult to write. I never know what to say other than "I loved it, so you should totally read it" but...I loved it, so you should totally read it. It just put so much of my thoughts and feelings into words, and I could relate to it so much. With the stuff I couldn't relate to so much, it gave me a new perspective on things that I'm really grateful for.
Maybe I just like a specific kind of poetry rather than disliking all poetry alltogether. I will be reading more from this author in future, absolutely.
September 26, 2019
Submerge was really a beautiful collection of poetry. I was nervous because I knew going in there would be a theme of water, and I was worried a theme would be awkward but I was wrong. K.Y. Robinson spins themes and metaphors like a master.
Some of these poems made me laugh, tear up, and even have to put the book down once or twice. These are heavy poems, these are deep, vulnerable and so honest. From topics ranging from love, heartache, family, mental health, racial issues, sexual assault and suicide, it can be very triggering for some, so I am thankful for the trigger warnings at the very start of the book, it is a responsible and respectable thing to include.
This book kept me in a certain kind of atmosphere and lead me wherever it wanted to take me. It's enchanting and beautifully written. I can't wait to read more of K.Y. Robinson's work.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for sharing this copy with me!
Some of these poems made me laugh, tear up, and even have to put the book down once or twice. These are heavy poems, these are deep, vulnerable and so honest. From topics ranging from love, heartache, family, mental health, racial issues, sexual assault and suicide, it can be very triggering for some, so I am thankful for the trigger warnings at the very start of the book, it is a responsible and respectable thing to include.
This book kept me in a certain kind of atmosphere and lead me wherever it wanted to take me. It's enchanting and beautifully written. I can't wait to read more of K.Y. Robinson's work.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for sharing this copy with me!
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