Now You Can See by Jessica L. Tate

Publication Date: April 25, 2017.

Publisher: Independently published.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, and Themes & Styles.

Rating: 

Purchase here: Amazon

Synopsis: Author Jessica Sankiewicz makes her poetry debut with a compilation of poems from her twentieth year. Now You Can See tells the story of a young woman caught between two worlds and her journey to reach some sort of clarity.

Thank you, Jessica L. Tate, for my review copy of Now You Can See. I received this review copy in exchange for an honest review; this does not affect my opinion.

Now You Can See is a poetry collection about love, heartbreak, conflicted feelings, realization, and moving on from it all. This book is a good collection of poetry and I recommend it for readers who enjoy both contemporary poetry and the themes this collection explores. However, Now You Can See didn’t work as well for me. When I read the synopsis for this poetry collection I expected something completely different from what I got. I expected a book about self-discovery, growth, an emotional and/or physical journey with a focus on the protagonist of the story and not a relationship. I thought as a 21-year-old I would learn something (or at least relate to) from the protagonist and the journey she supposedly went through during her twentieth year. That was not the case.

19. Obviously the End of the Line

We feed off each other’s insecurities
We don’t even like each other
Have no reason to like each other
Except for the fact that no one else
Really cares about us anymore
We have nobody but each other
So let’s attach ourselves, never let go
There’s no other security left

Now You Can See is about a complex relationship that has ended. At times, it seems sweet and at times I felt alarmed over how co-dependent the people in the relationship seemed to be and how I just wanted the protagonist to realize she deserved so much better. In that aspect, I definitely think the poetry collection comes back full circle and delivers a satisfying ending. If you have ever been through a brutal breakup, then Now You Can See will probably speak to you a lot.

Because all I feel for you now is pity
Because you proved your lie of love
You showed who you really were
I’m glad to know because it releases me
From guilt when I move on
To someone better than you

I felt that the writing shifted, some poems were definitely stronger and better written the others but all in all it worked and will satisfy readers looking for a quick read that will still make them think a little extra. I recommend Now You Can See to poetry readers looking for a collection that is about heartbreak and unsuccessful relationships. It’s a quick read with simple language, and I can see a lot of people enjoying it.