break your glass slippers

break your glass slippers is the first book in the poetry series, “you are your own fairy tale,” by award-winning poet, amanda lovelace. amanda approaches this particular collection with similar themes and style found in her breakout hit, the princess saves herself in this one. Those who are fans and followers of lovelace will not be disappointed, as she serves up her unique mix of fairytale references and female empowerment, all distilled down into scant, but impactful words.

In this compilation, lovelace alternates back and forth between the speaker’s experience and what the wiser, fairy godmother says as a response. In a later section, the speaker realizes that the knowledge the fairy godmother shares is already within her, which means she’s her own fairy godmother. As the speaker comes into this revelation, the fairy godmother’s section disappears, no longer separate from the speaker’s as they are one in the same. By the end, the speaker not only reclaims her intuition and intelligence, but she also recognizes that she’s her own fairytale, or in other words, her own happy ending.

The structure of this collection is smart and truly unique. While many other contemporary poets write on similar topics, lovelace has found a way to make herself standout. I love how she incorporates the mythic elements of our childhood and uses them to facilitate a coming-of-age journey. The speaker’s experience is one that is relatable and equally encouraging. It’s also a quick read.

With that being said, those who are looking for poetry that has strong imagery, fanciful language, and clever metaphors may be disappointed by lovelace. Of all the contemporary poets that I have read, lovelace’s short pieces are the closest to prose that I have found. Instead of her words being masterfully artistic, her words, instead, are presented in a structurally artistic way. Both kinds of poems are equally valid and have merit, and this serves as further proof that lovelace is forging her own way, and perhaps, even redefining what poetry is.