Hi everyone!

Friday lines is a weekly meme where I post both Friday 56 hosted by Rose City Reader where you share the first sentence of the book, along with your impressions and Book Beginning on Fridays hosted by Freda’s Voice where you grab a book and turn to page 56 or 56% in your e-reader; Find any non-spoilery sentence(s) and post.

This week’s book is Stuff I’ve been feeling lately by Alicia Cooks

In Alicia Cook’s second poetic effort, designed in the style of an old mixtape, she sets her thoughts to a nostalgic tune. There is no Table of Contents. Instead, there is a “Track List,” making it easy to refer to them to your friends with a, “Hey did you read track seven?!” There are no chapters. Instead, the book is divided into two parts, or as one would say in the 90’s, two “sides.” Side A holds poetry that touches on all aspects of the human condition like life, death, love, moving on, evolving, growing up, hometowns, family dynamic, life after trauma, and make-ups and breakups. Side B holds the “remixes” of these poems, in the form of blackout poetry, also known as “found poetry.” Side B gives the material a fresh twist by creating new poetry out of Side A. There is also a very special surprise at the end of each track.
Alicia decided to self publish this effort after leaving her publishing house. She views this book as her “independence” and official separation from that venture. She also drew the front and back cover herself.

goodreads | Amazon

Book Beginning:

This is dedicated to the man who saved me.

He didn’t save me from a car wreck;
my existence managed to swerve off the road,
creating a mangled mess evem the
Jaws of Life couldn’t tear through

He didn’t save me from fiery flames.
Quite the contrary. and perhaps
even a bit more frightening, the fire inside
of me had long burned out.

He didn’t save me from drowning,
at least not in the literal sense.
I can swim just fine and still rip currents
of life took me under, and I began
to flounder in my own tears.

Simply, this is dedicated to the man who saved
me from the biggest catastrophe of all: myself.

currently listening to:
Ellie goulding, “How Long Will I Love You?”

Friday 56:

There are days I spill coffe
all over the passenger seat before 7 a.m.

Days I forget to pay the bills
or respond to wedding invitations-

Days I will no doubt attempt to pull
a door clearly marked Push.

Most days I find myself stumbling
over flat surfaces and expectations.

Yet, I know you will love me the same,
and that alone makes my daily
missteps less catastrophic

Eternally Grateful,
Your Hot Mess

Currently listening to:
Sublime, “Waiting for my Ruca”