In A Strangely Wrapped Gift, you will find journeys from mental illness to recovery, from heartbreak to heart growth, from hopelessness to empowerment, and from the ocean to the stars. In these pages, Juniper takes heavy, emotional raw material and weaves it into stunning, relatable poetry you'll long to share with friends and loved ones. This collection is a reminder that broken pieces make the most beautiful mosaics, and that all of us possess the power to bloom even after a harsh winter.
***
[I ran through / fields of gold / with tan legs and / blueberry-stained lips SUMMER]***
(Central Avenue Publishing, 10 March 2020, 192 pages, e-book, copy from Central Avenue Publishing via # NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed)
***
***
I'd never heard of the poet before. I tend to read most poetry collection released by the publisher and usually find them to be of a high standard. This was no exception. The poems explore universal themes and issues such as mental illness, sexuality and coming of age but in a very intense and personal way. I felt a real connection to the poet and her work, like she was sharing her innermost thoughts & feelings and somehow had access to mine as well. This is an impressive collection and I will read more by the poet.