Book Review: Night of the Hawk: Poems by Lauren Martin

Book Details:

Author: Lauren Martin
Release Date: May 14, 2024
~~Series~~:
Genre: Poetry Collection
Format: E-book
Pages: 99 pages
Publisher: She Writes Press
Blurb:
When I have wandered
long enough
what am I still beholden to?
Ifá. Nature. Illness. Love. Loss. Misogyny. Aging. Africa. Our wounded planet. In this sweeping yet intensely personal collection, Lauren Martin tells the untold stories of the marginalized, the abused, the ill, the disabled—the different. Inspired by her life’s experiences, including the isolation she has suffered as a result both of living with chronic illness and having devoted herself to a religion outside the mainstream, these poems explore with raw vulnerability and unflinching honesty what it is to live apart—even as one yearns for connection.

But Night of the Hawk is no lament; it is powerful, reverential, sometimes humorous, often defiant—“ Oh heat me and fill me / I rise above lines ”—and full of wisdom. Visceral and stirring, the poems in this collection touch on vastly disparate subjects but are ultimately unified in a singular to inspire those who read them toward kindness, compassion, and questioning.

Review

Night of the Hawk by Lauren Martin is a deeply resonant collection that explores the complexities of identity, belonging, and resilience with raw honesty and unapologetic vulnerability. Author Martin’s poetic voice is both haunting and empowering as she delves into the untold stories of the marginalised and the misunderstood, inviting readers to confront the realities of illness, loss, and societal injustice.

Throughout the collection, the author grapples with themes of isolation and yearning for connection, drawing inspiration from her own experiences living with chronic illness and navigating a path outside the mainstream. Her words are infused with a sense of urgency, urging readers to confront uncomfortable truths and embrace the power of empathy and compassion.

What sets Night of the Hawk apart is its unwavering commitment to authenticity and self-discovery. The author fearlessly confronts the challenges of living apart from societal norms, weaving together personal narratives with universal themes of resilience and hope. From the evocative imagery of nature to the poignant exploration of love and loss, each poem in this collection is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of storytelling.

I would recommend this book to all poetry enthusiasts, as I feel author Martin’s poetic style and words resonate with a timeless wisdom that speaks to the universal human experience.