Who's Going to Love the Dying Girl?

by Bree Rolfe

WHO'S GOING TO LOVE THE DYING GIRL? by Bree Rolfe is a revolutionary debut poetry collection touching on society, loss, illness, and learning to grasp with things that cannot be changed. Rolfe executes verse with precision and

Desert Tarot
and this is where people come to forget their mothers we envy darkness noble, devilish in its necessity leaves like tap dancers, skittered across stone slabs landed at the feet of strange cacti we are blind powerless in this blaze your grace failed when you needed to bury a memory in a shallow grave in West Texas we are burnt limitless in our catharsis you delved too far reoriented yourself beneath too much sky saw everything it contained a cup held by a hand that reached from heavens and stretched warnings in the offing we are not the salamander who can pass through fire unscathed but each cloud contained wings and you intend to wear a crown of your haunted thoughts

54 pages, Paperback

Published September 30, 2021

About the author

Bree A. Rolfe never really left the nineties. She often finds herself combing the internet for episodes of 120 Minutes and accidentally dressing like an extra in a Nirvana video. She worked as a music journalist for ten years before she decided she wanted to dedicate her life to writing poetry and teaching. And while she does indeed love poetry and literature, her true love is Dawson’s Creek. If she could bring it back and be a writer, she totally would. She lives in Austin, TX where she teaches writing and literature to the mostly reluctant, but always loveable, teenagers at James Bowie High School. Her work has appeared in Saul Williams’ poetry anthology Chorus: A Literary Mixtape, the Barefoot Muse Anthology Forgetting Home: Poems About Alzheimer’s, the Redpaint Hill Anthology Mother is a Verb, and 5AM Magazine. She holds an MFA from the Writing Seminars at Bennington College.

Reviews

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rated my own book five stars. I admit it.

[Erin Kowalik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book of poetry. Rolfe is both intimate and wry. Her poetry evokes deep feelings of love, nostalgia, and loss alongside beautiful imagery.

[Matt Flickinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think wonderful poetry always puts you right there, sits with you as it illuminates the true and uneven nature of being human. Rolfe's work here takes her unique and interesting life and casts it under a nostalgic, often humorous, effortlessly intimate, and always authentic light.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nostalgic and creative work of poetry. Rolfe delves into what it means to experience love, loss and ultimately persevere through the lens of someone with a chronic illness. The feelings of fleeting happiness juxtaposed with permanency are present throughout.
Each poem is written with heartfelt realism and beautiful language. Her book reminded me of how Sally Rooney captures the confusing yet magnificent era of youth. I will revisit these poems for a repeated dose of inspiration. Bravo to the talented Bree Rolfe. I can’t wait to see the next creative piece you produce. 🙌📚❤️

[Jennifer Landry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Literary Disco and their interview with Bree Rolfe leading me to pick this one up! Wholly enjoyed every poem…each one felt tenderly and thoughtfully crafted. It made me FEEL a lot of things and inspired me in my own writing!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic, fresh poetry chapbook!

[Unsolicited Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal use of language and development of rhythm.

[Andrea Janov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the balance of poetic voice and personal voice through out this collection.

[Fuaad Ajaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing poetry that shows what it’s like to be a human trying to survive.