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while the rest of the world dances: poems
while the rest of the world dances is a collection of poems surrounding personal experiences of mental and chronic illness, relationships, coming of age, inequality, and other life experiences, both good and bad, with the parts separated into seasons.
her roots were planted in cold, black mud,
not enough water,
not enough love,
not enough sunlight,
so she forgot to grow.
don’t put her leaves in your mouth:
this soil has always been poison,
and now she is, too.
her roots were planted in cold, black mud,
not enough water,
not enough love,
not enough sunlight,
so she forgot to grow.
don’t put her leaves in your mouth:
this soil has always been poison,
and now she is, too.
- GenresPoetry
108 pages, ebook
Published December 12, 2022
About the author
Bryony Rosehurst
13 books33 followersBryony Rosehurst is a British romance author and poet dedicated to telling diverse stories of love and happily ever afters — and perhaps a little bit of angst sprinkled in for good measure. You can usually find her painting (badly), photographing new cities (occasionally), or wishing for autumn (always).
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
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March 21, 2024❧ poetry review
two ghosts dance
through concrete
cemetery gates
on a cold October night
I’ve been waiting for Bryony Rosehurst’s poetry collection from the moment she first announced it on Twitter and I’m so glad to finally dive in! This is an incredibly poignant, emotional, touching, relatable collection of poems and prose that focuses on life, love, mental health and personal struggles, and much, much more.
So many of the poems herein really struck me on an emotional level, and I related to so many of them, but this one really stood out to me.
she is a cracked teacup
without a saucer,
stained with age,
faded by strangers’ lips,
leaning lifelessly in
a row of pristine china.
they send her back,
ask for another cup.
this one’s been used already,
this one’s no good.
now she gathers dust.
Rosehurst’s poetry is simply wonderful! Definitely check out this collection! I can’t wait to read more from this truly talented voice!
☆ Book Reviews | Bluesky | Twitter | Threads ☆
two ghosts dance
through concrete
cemetery gates
on a cold October night
I’ve been waiting for Bryony Rosehurst’s poetry collection from the moment she first announced it on Twitter and I’m so glad to finally dive in! This is an incredibly poignant, emotional, touching, relatable collection of poems and prose that focuses on life, love, mental health and personal struggles, and much, much more.
So many of the poems herein really struck me on an emotional level, and I related to so many of them, but this one really stood out to me.
she is a cracked teacup
without a saucer,
stained with age,
faded by strangers’ lips,
leaning lifelessly in
a row of pristine china.
they send her back,
ask for another cup.
this one’s been used already,
this one’s no good.
now she gathers dust.
Rosehurst’s poetry is simply wonderful! Definitely check out this collection! I can’t wait to read more from this truly talented voice!
☆ Book Reviews | Bluesky | Twitter | Threads ☆
April 19, 2023
(Actual rating: 4.5 stars)
I have been exploring new poetry lately and I was excited to pick up “while the rest of the world dances.”
This book was intense. The poems contained within struck many cords with me. They touched on tones of loss, self worth, depression, anxiety, and many other themes.
At first the formatting of this book threw me off a bit since it was different from anything I’d read before but I quickly grew used to it and I really enjoyed this collection.
I have been exploring new poetry lately and I was excited to pick up “while the rest of the world dances.”
This book was intense. The poems contained within struck many cords with me. They touched on tones of loss, self worth, depression, anxiety, and many other themes.
At first the formatting of this book threw me off a bit since it was different from anything I’d read before but I quickly grew used to it and I really enjoyed this collection.
December 15, 2022
‘While the rest of the world dances’ is a beautiful collection that communicates so many of the anxieties we go through in different stages of our lives. Rosehurst has such a brilliant grasp of language that takes you on an honest journey throughout the collection. At several points I had to stop and go back to powerful passages that played on my mind because the emotions are so raw that I am sure many readers will relate. Rosehurst tackles several issues such as mental and chronic illness as well as heartbreak, and even if her audience haven’t experienced these exact issues they will be given a gorgeous and authentic view into those personal battles. Most of all I loved the hope and resilience that Rosehurst shows throughout her poetry, I cannot wait to see what is next for her.
December 7, 2022
This is a fantastic stream of consciousness collection of poetry. It's angsty but it has an awareness, a lyrical tilt, an understanding of words to go with it that lends it a real maturity. I can see myself as I was in these pages, as this woman is.
It's a powerful collection of verse that I recommend to women to read: particularly young women. It is rare that I find poetry that I think young women should read, as most is flat, a little romanticised, not having found its voice yet. There are rare exceptions. This poet is one of them. She's one to watch.
It's a powerful collection of verse that I recommend to women to read: particularly young women. It is rare that I find poetry that I think young women should read, as most is flat, a little romanticised, not having found its voice yet. There are rare exceptions. This poet is one of them. She's one to watch.
December 5, 2022
Beautiful poetry.
A poignant collection exploring mental health, love and loss, body image and grief. Absolutely relatable, I feel like I have never connected so much with a collection of poetry before. Highly recommend Rosehurt's work.
A poignant collection exploring mental health, love and loss, body image and grief. Absolutely relatable, I feel like I have never connected so much with a collection of poetry before. Highly recommend Rosehurt's work.
December 14, 2022
I had the opportunity to read Bryony Rosehurst’s debut poetry book while the rest of the world dances: poems. Her poetry made me feel a million things all at once, and I tried to contain the multitude of emotions. Her poems threaded together various subjects and sentiments that gave me a glimpse of what she has experienced or encountered, and numerous poems were relatable, too. I connected to the poetry about family, heartbreak, and depression/suicidal ideation. Many poems were difficult to read because I was familiar with her pain. It made me face my own pain, too. But at the same time, I loved each poem in its own way because each poem is a window to a different story to tell. And Rosehurst’s words were absolutely immaculate. She could perfectly orchestrate and deliver the feelings to show the reader what she was trying to express.
The following are a few quotes from different poems that caught my attention:
“we turned sadness into a season and now depression is a three-month love affair that changes with the leaves; it is a taylor swift song and a pretty pinterest aesthetic; an instagram caption and a starbucks drink” (37).
“and the first day I called myself fat / because I didn’t know the word would sit in my gut and grow and grow and grow / the life I could have had / / / but mostly / I wish I could forget / myself” (38-39)
“she tore out his heart and sunk her teeth into the muscle while it still beat. through a mouthful of veins: it’s about time we treated them the way they treat us” (44).
“It’s hard. I cry a lot because it’s clear now that I grew up believing thorns were flowers. I was wrong” (80),
Also, I loved how she labeled a few poems with “(after my spotify playlist).” This was creative!
Overall, I enjoyed reading her poetry, and I can’t wait to read more of her works! It is something I am always looking forward to.
The following are a few quotes from different poems that caught my attention:
“we turned sadness into a season and now depression is a three-month love affair that changes with the leaves; it is a taylor swift song and a pretty pinterest aesthetic; an instagram caption and a starbucks drink” (37).
“and the first day I called myself fat / because I didn’t know the word would sit in my gut and grow and grow and grow / the life I could have had / / / but mostly / I wish I could forget / myself” (38-39)
“she tore out his heart and sunk her teeth into the muscle while it still beat. through a mouthful of veins: it’s about time we treated them the way they treat us” (44).
“It’s hard. I cry a lot because it’s clear now that I grew up believing thorns were flowers. I was wrong” (80),
Also, I loved how she labeled a few poems with “(after my spotify playlist).” This was creative!
Overall, I enjoyed reading her poetry, and I can’t wait to read more of her works! It is something I am always looking forward to.
November 4, 2022
I was fortunate enough to read this poetry collection before release day, and I think about it at least once a day now. Bryony Rosehurst wrote a collection so powerful and raw that it felt like someone had collected my feelings up and put them into words. It’s relatable in many ways, but beyond that, clearly deeply personal to the author. Some of the poems feel universal, the descriptions of deep anxieties and familiar hardships, but the rest is an insight into Rosehurst’s heart, and I think that’s what makes this collection so good. I was blown away, I can’t wait to see what else Rosehurst has in store!
February 10, 2023
I won this book in a giveaway and my, I'm I glad I did! This book is beautiful. A very quick read as it's all poems, some short, some long but all with so much emotion that I won't be able to forget it.
Some hit so close to home that I thought the book had actually grew a hand, reached into my heart and took the words right out....putting them onto paper in a way that I never would be able to. One poem in particular wrote out something I felt very conflicted about recently. It was really something to not only see it written out but also know that someone else has felt this, even if it is a slight different experience.
I highly recommend this one. I think most people will find a little part of themselves and the thoughts they sometimes think before bed or in those long hot showers somewhere in these pages. I think even if you don't relate to the exact idea behind the individual poem that you'll be able to twist it into your own thoughts / feeling somehow.
This book is the equivalent of a hand reaching out and saying "Hey, I don't know you, but I do know you're not alone with this"
Some hit so close to home that I thought the book had actually grew a hand, reached into my heart and took the words right out....putting them onto paper in a way that I never would be able to. One poem in particular wrote out something I felt very conflicted about recently. It was really something to not only see it written out but also know that someone else has felt this, even if it is a slight different experience.
I highly recommend this one. I think most people will find a little part of themselves and the thoughts they sometimes think before bed or in those long hot showers somewhere in these pages. I think even if you don't relate to the exact idea behind the individual poem that you'll be able to twist it into your own thoughts / feeling somehow.
This book is the equivalent of a hand reaching out and saying "Hey, I don't know you, but I do know you're not alone with this"
April 13, 2023
So many beautiful poems, I really took my time reading this book and I’m so pleased I did. There were some very well written and thought provoking poetry pieces, definitely felt relatable and true to life and true to each human emotion. A wonderful piece of literature where you can find a poem somewhere in this book which will stay close to your heart
April 12, 2023
I loved this thought-provoking book of poetry. Beautifully written, it blew me away, just lovely. I'm buying it for a friend now!
July 31, 2024
Hard Hitting
This was a poetry collection with a lot of heavy and deep poems. Some drag you down like being in an ocean and others push you along like waves
This was a poetry collection with a lot of heavy and deep poems. Some drag you down like being in an ocean and others push you along like waves
December 23, 2022
These poems discuss the anxieties and struggles we go through in life in a beautiful manner. As someone who struggles, this gave me a lot of warmth and really opened my eyes. It was truly beautiful. The emotion is there, worn on the page, and they're so raw too. You let the confidence, reassurance, and hope flood too while reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 16, 2022
This is a beautiful book of poems. It is divided up into seasons. You will enjoy reading them and finding one that means something to you. Well written.
December 9, 2022
I haven't read many poetry books but I did love reading this. It was so relatable and I feel like I really connected with it. It was overall just so beautiful.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 16, 2024
"still nobody asks if she is okay," (p. 52)
I really appreciate the way Rosehurst writes about her experiences with depression.
"I'd forgotten how it felt to exist" (p. 14)
It's captured in these vivid, little descriptions, which she writes so well:
"there are half-
empty glasses of stale water
all over her desk;" (p. 52)
And she tackles relationships (romantic and familial) with similar adroitness:
"your beginning is my ending -
or perhaps my ending is your beginning." (p.26)
"it's clear now that I grew up believing thorns were flowers." (p. 70)
There are occasionally these really powerful visuals sprinkled throughout:
"metallic silence roaring like a trumpet" (p. 20)
"rose gardens growing inside tall glass buildings" (p. 76)
This is a beautiful collection. I really connected with her longing to reconnect with her youth, to a time before the depression.
I quick read, but well worth it.
I really appreciate the way Rosehurst writes about her experiences with depression.
"I'd forgotten how it felt to exist" (p. 14)
It's captured in these vivid, little descriptions, which she writes so well:
"there are half-
empty glasses of stale water
all over her desk;" (p. 52)
And she tackles relationships (romantic and familial) with similar adroitness:
"your beginning is my ending -
or perhaps my ending is your beginning." (p.26)
"it's clear now that I grew up believing thorns were flowers." (p. 70)
There are occasionally these really powerful visuals sprinkled throughout:
"metallic silence roaring like a trumpet" (p. 20)
"rose gardens growing inside tall glass buildings" (p. 76)
This is a beautiful collection. I really connected with her longing to reconnect with her youth, to a time before the depression.
I quick read, but well worth it.
November 24, 2023
It's rare that a poetry collection is consistently impactful and touching throughout, but Rosehurst manages this with while the rest of the world dances. It's a powerful read, with relatable yet highly personal poems, and genuinely broke my heart in a few places. There's real conviction on each page, and I found myself unable to stop reading as I worked through what is a truly special collection that I will return to in the future, I'm sure.
April 13, 2024
Such a lyrical, readable and often heart wrenching collection that the poet weaves together into a narrative mapping where she is and how she's working on looking beyond that. Definitely a collection designed to make you feel something and invite you to connect with it on an everyday relatable level, while still remaining entirely personal and specific. "There is nothing ugly about change" really got to me specifically ❤️
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April 11, 2023Some powerful words
I downloaded this collection of poetry during a special promo. There are some truly powerful words within the pages. However, the book for me did not translate well to kindle. I sadly could not always see where one poem ended and the next began. Sorry.
I downloaded this collection of poetry during a special promo. There are some truly powerful words within the pages. However, the book for me did not translate well to kindle. I sadly could not always see where one poem ended and the next began. Sorry.
March 17, 2024
As with most poetry collections, sometimes they're a hit and I'll be highlighting every other line and sometimes they're kind of a miss. This one has some moments that I enjoyed and saved for later, but for the most part, the list format of some of the poems was just uninspiring for me.
July 4, 2024
Bryony's poetry is both relatable and refreshing. It's sad most of the time, sometimes joyous too. It will make you wonder about a lot of things if you haven't already thought about them: disability, loneliness, depression, senses...
January 18, 2023
Such amazing poems. Loved them. So touching and heartfelt. I really felt like each poem is a view in to a different part of a life's story to tell.
May 9, 2023
Captivatingly beautiful throughout - the end x
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews