I like how this poem makes us return to the idea of death as mercy, as release from pain. She doesn’t speak about her stepmother in this one, instead a possum past the point of no return. And then, when its does, when it settles and the day ends, the next day brings light.

1. Why do you think she chooses to focus on the simple death of an animal versus her stepmother to end Part 2? Is it to wrap up these ideas in a more digestible way?
2. How do you think nature plays a role in helping her understand death as something almost gentle in this poem?

Have you read any books that have surprised you this year? Maybe it far surpassed your expectations, maybe it was actually terrible, or funnier, or more profound than you thought.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Yellowface - I’d put it off after seeing so many mixed reviews over the years, but definitely one that consumed me for the time I was reading it!

Another was The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires. Again, I’d seen mixed review and so was expecting it to be a little mediocre, but it really worked for me!

I loved the imagery of this one, and the use of enjambed lines throughout. It gave a pause to each thought before continuing the rest of the thought in the next line. We’re placed deep in the moment, driving along with her again, drinking in the surroundings, but also the feeling of love, of moving forward with someone towards the beautiful unknown.

1. How do you all think the title is meant to connect with what she describes in the poem?
2. What do you think she meant by “the ice and salt and mud on the car made it look like how we felt on the inside?
3. What do you think of this one as a closing to Part 3— does it leave anything unsaid?

I really like the way this one just moves and moves and moves, like one continuous train of thought snaking in all kinds of different directions. She started by setting the scene, but quickly moves into thinking about old feelings, old dislike or hatred coming back up without as much power as it used to hold. It also seems to get kind of existential towards the end, kind of questioning her own power or position.

1. What did you all think she was trying to convey in the final line, “saying my name like I was somebody”?
2. Why do you think she brings up old feelings suddenly coming up? How does that connect to her own realization about herself?

For me, the title provides a question as to what the owls and night must mean in relation to it. The part where she mentions being owls staying up “in the branches of ourselves” might mean reaching back into the past and discussing exes. But then, she describes it as being on “the edge of euphoric plummet.” There’s a lot of contrast to parse out.

1. What did you all make of this piece? Did the title help or hinder your interpretation of it?
2. What did you all think about the way she ends this one, about coming home and escaping old stars? Are these what’s meant to represent their exes?