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Dirty Hands, Broken Ribs, & Other Places My Heart Has Lived
I will always wonder
if you whispered goodbye
before you watched me
walk away.
If so,
did it sound
like gasping for breath
after a marathon?
Like crying out for help
after breaking your own heart?
In her poetry debut, Rodriguez offers a linear love letter to every person she's ever loved, dreamed of, or hoped for.
if you whispered goodbye
before you watched me
walk away.
If so,
did it sound
like gasping for breath
after a marathon?
Like crying out for help
after breaking your own heart?
In her poetry debut, Rodriguez offers a linear love letter to every person she's ever loved, dreamed of, or hoped for.
- GenresPoetry
67 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2020
About the author
Cynthia A. Rodriguez
26 books426 followersCynthia hates writing her own bio. In her down-time, you can find her watching movies, ranging anywhere from classic to action flicks (she has a weakness for Marvel adaptations), and reading any novel she can get her hands on.
She loves hearing from her readers! You can reach Cynthia at cynthia.a.rodriguez6@gmail.com. Both her Twitter and Instagram handles are @thecynrodriguez.
She loves hearing from her readers! You can reach Cynthia at cynthia.a.rodriguez6@gmail.com. Both her Twitter and Instagram handles are @thecynrodriguez.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 2, 2020
I highlighted so much of this book. I love it when you get glimpses into the authors soul and you see that it matches your own. This was beautiful, raw and my eyes are misty. The pain, the hurt and the love all come flying at you so you feel these emotions straight through your heart.
May 1, 2020
“And just like my father, that boy loved me and left me.”
Fucking beautiful.
I bawled.
I hope poetry is something that Cynthia explores more of. She didn’t just excel at it— she annihilated it. I’m not sure I have ever felt more connected to a set of words than these ones right here.
Fucking beautiful.
I bawled.
I hope poetry is something that Cynthia explores more of. She didn’t just excel at it— she annihilated it. I’m not sure I have ever felt more connected to a set of words than these ones right here.
May 9, 2020
A beautiful debut that packs an emotional punch!
Read
April 30, 2020My friends made me do it. ♥️
May 2, 2020
“ I’m a flightless thing— clipped wings and a broken spirit. I have no place on land, nor in the endless sky. Still, I try to fly.”
Ever since i first read Evol by Cynthia i,ve been hoping she would write a poetry book. Her poems in Evol gave me goosebumps and she did not disappoint with her debut poetry book. She bled on these pages for all to see. Through her words she is showing us her vulnerability, her pain, her wounds,her bravery,her strength and familiarity.
Some of these poems felt like there written for me. When a poem can soothe you and confront hidden feelings, there is power in that poem.
I am so proud of this person and author, she is not just an amazing author/poet but also a wonderful human being.
Ever since i first read Evol by Cynthia i,ve been hoping she would write a poetry book. Her poems in Evol gave me goosebumps and she did not disappoint with her debut poetry book. She bled on these pages for all to see. Through her words she is showing us her vulnerability, her pain, her wounds,her bravery,her strength and familiarity.
Some of these poems felt like there written for me. When a poem can soothe you and confront hidden feelings, there is power in that poem.
I am so proud of this person and author, she is not just an amazing author/poet but also a wonderful human being.
May 4, 2020
Having recently entered into my first real relationship after a series of bad choices and one painful divorce, these poems speak right to the pain in my soul. Cynthia's words wrap around my heart like a protective barrier of thorns. The poem below hit especially hard for me. I find myself wondering how this relationship will go...and if I will have the strength and love for myself to walk away...
"I used to think that love meant
staying.
Now,
the only love I want
is the kind that knows
when to leave."
"I used to think that love meant
staying.
Now,
the only love I want
is the kind that knows
when to leave."
August 5, 2020
A Weak Collection
The first three poems (“In My Dreams,” “In My Mother’s Eyes,” and “In His Closet”) and “In That Rocking Chair” are the only poems in this collection that are memorable or make interesting moves. The rest are filled with obvious connections, cliches, and weak poetic techniques. A lot of it reminds me of poetry I would have written in high school. Maybe you can connect to it, but it’s not as profound as the writer probably felt in her “aha!” moment.
The first three poems (“In My Dreams,” “In My Mother’s Eyes,” and “In His Closet”) and “In That Rocking Chair” are the only poems in this collection that are memorable or make interesting moves. The rest are filled with obvious connections, cliches, and weak poetic techniques. A lot of it reminds me of poetry I would have written in high school. Maybe you can connect to it, but it’s not as profound as the writer probably felt in her “aha!” moment.
May 1, 2020
Cynthia’s first collection of poetry is astounding.
I read each poem with my breath held and released only after all the emotions were out. It is such a mighty gathering of poetry, where Cynthia gives us everything. Everything from love, loss, heartache, growth, and finding oneself.
So many of these poems will stay with you long after you close the book.
I read each poem with my breath held and released only after all the emotions were out. It is such a mighty gathering of poetry, where Cynthia gives us everything. Everything from love, loss, heartache, growth, and finding oneself.
So many of these poems will stay with you long after you close the book.
May 8, 2020
This is the first work of Cynthia that I have read. And I must say I was so shocked that it's her debut poetry collection. I felt like she's a pro!
Her words are so raw and beautifully written. This poetry collection captures my heart that I even gasped literally while reading this.
I really really love this poetry collection.
Her words are so raw and beautifully written. This poetry collection captures my heart that I even gasped literally while reading this.
I really really love this poetry collection.
May 30, 2020
W o w
This collection is for every single person who’s ever been personally victimized by their own hearts or “love”. This collection took me back to so many days and past lovers. How are we all stuck in the same cycle? Cynthia wrote some of the most beautifully heartbreaking words and I loved every minute of them.
This collection is for every single person who’s ever been personally victimized by their own hearts or “love”. This collection took me back to so many days and past lovers. How are we all stuck in the same cycle? Cynthia wrote some of the most beautifully heartbreaking words and I loved every minute of them.
May 1, 2020
Cynthia's first poetry book put me through the wringer! I felt all the emotions of love lost, new love, and loving oneself. So many poems spoke to me on a personal level, and I know everyone will find at least one poem to relate to.
Definitely recommend you read this once...or ten times...
Definitely recommend you read this once...or ten times...
May 1, 2020
Cynthia’s debut poetry collection packs a punch – a sucker punch right to the heart.
Dirty Hands, Broken Ribs, & Other Places My Heart Has Lived touches on heartbreak, loss, and love in the most beautiful way.
Dirty Hands, Broken Ribs, & Other Places My Heart Has Lived touches on heartbreak, loss, and love in the most beautiful way.
June 12, 2020
Connected to the poems
I connected so deeply to these poems. After being in abusive relationships, reading these tore open my heart and made me think real hard. It kinda has sort of healing power and will read again and let the poems sink in.
I connected so deeply to these poems. After being in abusive relationships, reading these tore open my heart and made me think real hard. It kinda has sort of healing power and will read again and let the poems sink in.
July 26, 2020
Beautiful.
Many of her poems resonate with me. A familiar ache nestled deep inside my bones. Waves of nostalgia roll over me, gently, while reading her words. Thank you for this collection.
Many of her poems resonate with me. A familiar ache nestled deep inside my bones. Waves of nostalgia roll over me, gently, while reading her words. Thank you for this collection.
October 31, 2021
Oh gosh, I really liked this. I thought it was just sad heartbreak poems at first, but then I started to really connect to every word written. It was a beautiful tale of love, heartbreak, trauma, and everything that goes with those things. I am pleasantly surprised!
May 3, 2020
Wow i freaking loved this collection. It was so heart wrenching and pretty at the same time. It had a great flow and each poem was beautifully written. She told a story and made me feel so many different things at once.
May 5, 2020
Such a raw and beautiful poetry debut. I loved this collection and was lucky enough to hear the talented author read some of these in person. I got chills, her words hold so much power. Love this!
May 12, 2020
A beautifully - stunning - heartfelt poetry debut!
July 13, 2020
Enjoyed
Simple but still beautiful. Lots of relatable passages. Always reassuring to know you're not the only one feeling these ways
Simple but still beautiful. Lots of relatable passages. Always reassuring to know you're not the only one feeling these ways
December 14, 2020
Yes
New fan of Cynthia. This is a must read. Raw emotion and love is felt through every poem. Cant wait to read more
New fan of Cynthia. This is a must read. Raw emotion and love is felt through every poem. Cant wait to read more
December 29, 2020
So heartfelt and tragic and just BEAUTIFUL.
Love loved it!
Love loved it!
December 29, 2020
"Still,
I try to fly."
A love letter to heart break, to young love and more importantly to healing...
I've loved this woman's words from the first moment I read her books and this poetry collection is no exception. Every emotion she felt while carving these poems is palpable. Pain, heart break, love, hope, strength. These are all present in each word, in each poem. There were parts I had to go back to, to read 2 or 3 times because they were that good. So needless to say I love this collection, it speaks to women, to the essence of our pain. To a healing we all need and can hopefully understand some day.
I try to fly."
A love letter to heart break, to young love and more importantly to healing...
I've loved this woman's words from the first moment I read her books and this poetry collection is no exception. Every emotion she felt while carving these poems is palpable. Pain, heart break, love, hope, strength. These are all present in each word, in each poem. There were parts I had to go back to, to read 2 or 3 times because they were that good. So needless to say I love this collection, it speaks to women, to the essence of our pain. To a healing we all need and can hopefully understand some day.
January 3, 2021
Bravo to Cynthia on her debut poetry collection.
From the first poem you’re almost made to believe this to be a gut wrenching storytelling. But page by page, you see rays of light and forgiveness.
Though her poems are short, they pack a punch.
From heartbreaking to acceptance and self love. This collection is truly eye opening for women all around.
Congratulations Cyn 🖤
From the first poem you’re almost made to believe this to be a gut wrenching storytelling. But page by page, you see rays of light and forgiveness.
Though her poems are short, they pack a punch.
From heartbreaking to acceptance and self love. This collection is truly eye opening for women all around.
Congratulations Cyn 🖤
May 17, 2020
Cynthia delivers an amazing debut collection packed full of raw and relatable emotion! I certainly hope this will not be her only collection, and can’t wait what’s next!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews