The How
Notes on the Great Work of Meeting Yourself
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4.3 • 6 Ratings
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
From the acclaimed poet behind bone, an exploration of how we can meet our truest selves, the ones we've always been meant to become
Yrsa Daley-Ward's words have resonated with hundreds of thousands of readers--through her books of poetry and memoir, bone and The Terrible; through her writing for Beyoncé on Black Is King; and through her always illuminating Instagram posts.
Now, in The How, Yrsa encourages readers to begin, as she puts it, the great work of meeting ourselves. This isn't the self we've built up in response to our surroundings, or the self we manufacture to please the people around us, but instead, our most intimate self, the one we visit in dreams, the one that calls to us from a glimmering future.
With a mix of short lyrical musings and her signature stunning poetry, Yrsa gently takes readers by the hand, encouraging them to join her as she explores how we can remove our filters, and see and feel more of who we really are behind the preconceived notions of propriety and manners we've accumulated with age. With a beautiful design and intriguing meditations, The How can be used to start conversations, to prompt writing, to delve deeper--whether you're solo, or with friends, on your feet or writing from the solace of home.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Poet Daley-Ward (bone) wonders, "In a world so filled with voice, how to ever be sure of your own?" in this gratifying exploration of self. Daley-Ward excels at describing the indescribable: depression is referred to as "the thing that lurks" and loneliness is "a mix of several unspecified, blue things." To deal with these and other negative feelings, she practices self-care by spending time alone, saying, " ‘Selfish' has horrible press, and yet this inward focus, this business of feeling good, is vital when it comes to the wealth of the mind." She draws inspiration from the magic of the universe and the power of nature, which Daley-Ward suggests teaches "the largest acts of love" because "it shows us itself again and again and asks us for nothing." This work defies genre and features a beautiful blend of lyrical prose and bold poetry: "We are human, and often we think of ourselves as lone, separate entities, forgetting that we are connected to this odd and expanding universe, forgetting that we are part of something vast and unexplained." Amid her musings, Daley-Ward also weaves in affirmations and prompts for self-reflection. This is a tender, hopeful meditation.
