a year without you

by Julian J. Walker

this journey hasn’t been an easy one, but i’ve found joy within my pain. feeling like second best, spending more time stressed. looking in the mirror each morning, yup this is my best yet. i’ve had so much to gain in the midst of this stress.i invite you into my year deprived of what i longed for. these poems will pilot you across the healing process, which leads into a journey of self-love. broken into four chapters, each termed after the four seasons of the year, beginning with fall.sit with me as we journey the growth of regaining our power, pushing through pain and removing those from blame."believe you have the ability today and every hour to walk in your purpose” - Julian J Walker (activist, actor, author)this book opens with the following passage, “i’m not going to make myself for you this time, spent a year trying to figure out what it meant to me, years of wondering what love meant to me, was i the question while all fingers piercing towards it, the sensations that gushed from my soul couldn’t be contained much longer, you basically became my fall…”.

Genres: Queer

140 pages, Paperback

Published December 19, 2018

Reviews

[naviya · Rating 1 out of 5]

- this book was alot of telling, not enough showing
- some of the poems could be songs - which was cool
- felt kinda repetitive, and the flow was a lil manufactured rather than a natural blossoming
- it irks me when poems rhyme in english
- lil bit like rupi kaur,,,,,
- also kind of uncomfortably preachy/churchy

[David Alonzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t recall where I picked up this book. I must have met the poet at a book signing, since my copy of the book is signed by the author. I must’ve found him intriguing. I have the admit, the poems are much less than intriguing, though there some very clever internal rhymes and wordplay.

As I think about the final pages of the book, some hope finally comes to the surface after the first three sections delve into the depths of depression. Or maybe this was the intent and I was just unable to digest it at this point in time.

[Eddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abuse, betrayal, insecurity, homophobia, masculinity, death/suicide, racism, religion, love, relationships, eroticism, beautiful affirmations etc. I found myself relating to so many of Julian’s personal poems. Even the poems that were beyond my frame of reference were able to resonate deeply. Thank you Julian, for sharing your experiences.

[De Loves to Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met the author last year a book fair and he was such a sweetheart! As for the book, it was perfect timing for me because I had some lingering feelings about a breakup from the previous year. It's raw and honest and queer, too. Great read.