Unabridged Audiobook
I know Valerie June’s music, and am a fan. Nonetheless, poems were a revelation. They are deeply metaphysical, but also well-structured, vivid poems. And hearing the poet herself read them is a shear delight. Like fellow Tennessean Dolly Parton, Ms. June does not try to modify her accent, contain her joy, or rein in the musicality of her voice. For the best experience, buy the book and read along. It is illustrated with Ms. June’s own drawings, which are delightful. Valerie June’s reading is so cheerful and hypnotizing that it is easy to miss the craft and depth of these works. If you really care about poetry as an art, read them again, after listening. The merit serious study. It’s rare that I use the word “sublime,” but it is accurate for these.
~~tag-text~~