Review: Night of the Hawk

NIGHT OF THE HAWK

Lauren Martin

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GENRE:  Poetry

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BLURB:

Ifá. Nature. Illness. Love. Loss. Misogyny. Aging. Africa. Our wounded planet. In this sweeping yet intensely personal collection, Lauren Martin tells the untold stories of the marginalized, the abused, the ill, the disabled—the different. Inspired by her life’s experiences, including the isolation she has suffered as a result both of living with chronic illness and having devoted herself to a religion outside the mainstream, these poems explore with raw vulnerability and unflinching honesty what it is to live apart—even as one yearns for connection.

But Night of the Hawk is no lament; it is powerful, reverential, sometimes humorous, often defiant—“Oh heat me and fill me / I rise above lines”—and full of wisdom. Visceral and stirring, the poems in this collection touch on vastly disparate subjects but are ultimately unified in a singular quest: to inspire those who read them toward kindness, compassion, and questioning.

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Excerpt:

PEACHES

Dear Peaches, 

Please stop killing yourself with shameful behavior.

I saw the ass drums.

I wanted to barf. I thought much more highly of you. 

You are the slimy lecherous guy on stage at spring break. 

Except, you’re 60. I guess that makes sense. 

But What is going on? And you question my rituals?

Love,

Muñequita

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Review: 

Lauren Martin’s “Night of the Hawk: Poems” is a powerful and deeply personal collection that soars with raw emotion and unflinching honesty. Released in 2024, this debut poetry anthology offers readers a profound journey through the author’s experiences with chronic illness, spirituality, and the universal human struggle for connection.

Martin’s verses are both intimate and expansive, touching on themes ranging from the personal to the political. Her exploration of isolation, stemming from her battle with a debilitating illness that left her bedridden for years, resonates with haunting clarity. In poems like “CSF,” she vividly captures the frustration and despair of physical limitation: “I lay here / like a mummy / in a Tempur-Pedic sarcophagus”.

What sets this collection apart is Martin’s unique perspective as a psychotherapist and practitioner of Ifá, a Yoruba spiritual tradition. This blend of psychological insight and shamanic wisdom infuses her work with a rare depth, offering readers a glimpse into realms both seen and unseen. The inclusion of a glossary for Yoruba terms adds an educational element without overshadowing the poetry’s emotional impact.

Martin’s style is versatile, ranging from free verse to more structured forms. Her ability to distill complex emotions into concise, powerful lines is evident in shorter pieces like “A Sea of Kisses,” which manages to convey a wealth of feeling in just a few simple verses.

While deeply personal, Martin’s poetry transcends individual experience to touch on universal themes. Her exploration of aging, marginalization, and environmental concerns speaks to broader societal issues, making her work both timely and timeless.

“Night of the Hawk” is not merely a collection of beautiful words; it’s a testament to resilience, a celebration of the human spirit’s capacity to find beauty and meaning in the face of adversity. For readers seeking poetry that challenges, comforts, and ultimately uplifts, Martin’s debut is a must-read.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Lauren Martin is a psychotherapist, poet, and a devoted Ìyânífá. Born in Boston and spending many years in New York and Paris, she currently lives in Oakland, California. Lauren studied psychology, photography and poetry at Sarah Lawrence College. She spent years writing without submitting her work due to a long shamanic journey, which led her to both Ifá, and to the writing of several books (including this collection of poems.) The upcoming publication of Night of the Hawk (SheWrites Press, 2024), reflects a deeply personal experience of illness, isolation and true shamanism.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Night-Hawk-Poems-Lauren-Martin-ebook/dp/B0C9HK2CX7

Website: https://www.laurenmartin.net/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lauren.martin.37201

Instagram: http://instagram.com/frankyisastar

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Lauren Martin will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

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