02 Oct Unveiling Shadows: A Journey Through the Heart in ‘Find Me as the Creature I Am’
Review of Find Me as the Creature I Am: Poems by Emily Jungmin Yoon
When I first came across Find Me as the Creature I Am, I was immediately drawn in by the title—it evokes such a visceral sense of identity and instinct that I felt a pull to explore what lay within its pages. Emily Jungmin Yoon, a name that has quickly become synonymous with raw and eloquent verse, invites us to reflect on our humanity through the lens of nature, familial ties, and the often tangled web of love and loss.
This collection is an exceptional exploration of the delicate dance between tenderness and violence, a theme that Yoon touches upon with astonishing grace. In just under 80 pages, she deftly navigates through the labyrinth of existence, delving into our primal instincts while challenging us to confront our dual natures as both tender caregivers and potential aggressors. One moment you’re wrapped in the comfort of inherited family tales, and the next you’re grappling with the feral instinct to survive and connect.
Throughout the collection, Yoon’s imagery is vivid and striking, often focusing on the body and its myriad expressions. As she beautifully articulates, "And when I say we are beasts, / is that a metaphor?” This question resonates deeply, forcing us to examine not only our connections to one another but our connections to the natural world. The way she captures the essence of animals in their acts of love and grief is a poignant reminder that we are all part of the same tapestry of life.
What struck me most about Yoon’s writing was her capacity to blend the lyrical with the visceral. Her lines swirl with emotion, as if she’s pouring not just words onto the page but pieces of her soul. The pacing of each poem varies beautifully, showcasing moments of profound reflection alongside jarring, heart-wrenching truths. The quote, "I accept that I am now ‘Asian’. -I am now simultaneously more than and less than Korean," encapsulates the complex nature of identity and heritage in a way that left me breathless. It’s this depth of thought coupled with fierce vulnerability that makes Yoon’s work particularly powerful.
Renowned reviewer Tracie Nicole described Find Me as the Creature I Am as "a gorgeous, transporting, and unique collection," and I couldn’t agree more. The seamless intertwining of themes like identity, loss, and hope intertwines like threads in a fabric, making this collection feel almost autobiographical at times.
I wholeheartedly recommend Yoon’s collection to fellow poetry lovers and anyone intrigued by the human condition. If you’re captivated by the intersection of nature and emotional depth, or simply curious about the contours of identity and existence, this collection is a must-read. Personally, it has left me both reflective and invigorated—Yoon holds a mirror to our instincts, urging us to embrace the beautiful chaos of simply being.
In the end, reading Find Me as the Creature I Am is like engaging in a heartfelt conversation with a wise friend; it’s soulful, complex, and absolutely essential. Whether you’re a seasoned poetry aficionado or a newcomer, you’ll find something undeniably profound in Yoon’s stunning sequences. So, dive in—let her immerse you in a world where love, loss, and the wild instincts of humanity beautifully collide.
