Title: I’m Done
Author: Gurpreet Kaur
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Page Count: 157
Publication Date: 2019
Category/Genre: Poetry
Good Reads Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.04)
My Rating: ★★★★☆(3.5)
for the ones who have loved more than they have received,
for the ones who have loved,
for the ones who are heartbroken,
for the ones who are healing.
Full disclosure: I was asked to read and provide an honest review of this book by the author. The following is my own opinion and impression.
i’m done is a collection of free-verse/confessional poems about love, heartbreak, healing, and hope. It is relatable, steeped in raw and powerful emotions and experiences.
“i was in love and was looking at you through rose colored glasses, maybe that is why all those red flags didn’t seem red.”
As in Kaur’s first work, Warriors, the book is divided into two sections. The first part is mostly about falling in love and watching it crumble and turn to poison. But Kaur put a creative twist on it — presenting two complementary, yet contradictory poems with the bright side printed on white pages and on the flip side, the dark and toxic angle printed on black pages immediately following. This created a powerful bipolarity that resonates much deeper than had they not been connected or were stand-alone. I absolutely loved the technique.
“you were like a blessing, a prayer answered” (on a white page)
“and a curse, altogether” (opposite on black page)
The second part focuses more on the healing and hope that has not been lost, but most importantly — empowerment. I am always grateful when an author ends on a positive note, especially after releasing such potent emotions into the world. I believe it gives closure and tempers negative sentiments, reminding the reader that even in the darkest of times, there is light.
“I fell as yours, but I rose up as mine.”
Kaur’s writing has matured since her debut work and she continues to show much promise and potential as a poet. Some of the word choices are a little awkward and repetitive, but nothing a good editor couldn’t polish up to make this shine even more brightly.
Overall, I would recommend this to all who love poetry or who have been subject to the oscillating nature of love and relationships. Available on Kindle Unlimited for free, there is no reason not to dive into i’m done.
