I just. Can hardly contain myself.
A hot pink package was sticking out of my mailbox today, and when I opened it I whispered (to absolutely no one) OhMyGodOhMyGodOhMyGodOhMyGodOhMyGod. I shit you not; apparently this is what I do when I hit my maximum capacity for excitement.
Inside the package was the a manuscript I read months ago (and talked about here), finally published as the first full length poetry collection by the phenomenal Rachel Wiley.
A while back, Rachel asked me to preview the poems and if I felt so inclined, to write a review. After multiple teary lunch breaks dedicated to these papers covered in green Times New Roman (I loved that part) I was hell bent on telling the world how wonderful I thought these pieces were. And much to my OhMyGodOhMyGodOhMyGod excitement, a piece of that "telling" ended up on the back of this piece of fucking awesome art.
The book opens with this quote, which I wish was hung in every persons home:
And is then followed by my favorite poem of all time: "Pre-Flight Prayer of a Fat Girl" which made me cry in public the first time I read it. A few weeks ago while I was talking to a friend about her adventures in FlyingWhileFat, I read it aloud to her... she teared up too.
I'm going to beg Rachel to let me publish it here.
(RACHEL PLEASE CAN I SHARE JUST THAT ONE POEM!?!?)
So yes. This book is magical. I'm so proud of this incredible woman. And I'm so happy to see the body positive literary world expand.
And of course, I'm writing this into my future plans:
If you haven't watched 10 Honest Thoughts on Being Loved by a Skinny Boy (how I found Rachel) you should. It's relevant and an incredible piece that has touched millions.
To purchase the book: click this link and you can get it straight from the kick-ass babe herself.
Sigh.
The world is beautiful today.
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