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        Imagine walking down the halls of any high school.  You hear a group of teen girls speaking of the new poetry book named, Milk and Honey. You decide to take a look at this new book that has made girls across the globe so absolutely insane over. Once you look at this book you realize, it's not poetry.  Milk and Honey written by Rupi Kaur, is given far too much credit.

       The so-called poetry book has completely taken over modern writing. Rupi Kaur has become almost a “trend” for teen girls. The book talks about love, and disappointment, and talks about things that people can relate to. But, just because we can relate to some of the things she writes, doesn't mean she deserves the praise and excitement over this book that she is receiving. The author was raped in previous years, and speaks about her experience in her book. In most people's minds, they would think “Wow, she's been through so much. She's such an inspiration.” In no means am I trying to degrade the poets experience, but people just think of sympathy and pity towards the writer, that

they're ignoring the obvious fact that it is not poetry, or at least not well-written poetry. They completely overlook the actual writing.

       The writing in the pages has messy form, and barely any sufficient imagery. The stanzas are unorganized and just randomly thrown in. It is a mockery to modern and past poets. She has attempted to use close to no literary devices. In the book she writes,

a daughter should

not have to

beg her father

for a relationship

       This stanza is the whole poem. There is nothing you are missing here. Even if someone could agree with this statement, there is nothing that applies to poetry.  No poetic devices like alliteration or rhyme can be found in this “poem.”

 

       Kaur also jumps around between topics, and it can be very confusing at times. For example:

the rape will

tear you

in half

 

but it

will not

end you

 

       And then, a page later she states,

you have sadness

living in places

sadness shouldn't live

 

       This is just one example of her jumping around. The stanzas are very inconsistent and do not flow well together. The way she puts all these poems in order, is very random, and they don't seem to work together.

       Another poem in Kaur's book once again shows that the writing in this book is anything but poetry. In this particular writing, the way she words her poem does not flow. Her word choice shows that what she is trying to do is be cute. It takes away from any type of meaning that she could have had. The poem states:

i will not have you

build me into your life

when

what i want is to

build a life with you

 

       After reading this poem, I've realized she has a good beginning with the verb build, and she could easily add imagery and meaning to the writing.  Instead, she doesn't. It has left us with the simplest poem, and nothing meaningful.

       Ironically, this is an attractive book. Just by picking up a copy you would think it is a well written book. The marketing has been effective. They have sold 2.5 million copies of the book. This is the case because most people buy the book based off of the appealing cover, so people would imagine good writing. Or even worse, the cover is not challenging them—nor the writing— so it makes the readers feel smart being able to comprehend this “poetry.”

       Rupi Kaur has written unsuccessful poetry, but created much success with this book. Today's society is so quick to jump to conclusions that they will give so much credit to a book without even analyzing the writing. This book was not a complete disaster. It proves that marketing can triumph over quality.