For more recommendations, check out our list of 100 Must-Read YA Books in Verse. “There is an Arabic proverb that says:She makes you feellike a loaf of freshly baked bread. It is said aboutthe nicestkindestpeople.The type of peoplewho help yourise.” “Though the struggleis always made tosound admirableand poetic,the thumping uncertaintyis still there.” “Don’t come out unless you want to. Don’t come out for anyone else’s sake. Don’t come out because you think society expects you to.Come out for yourself.Come out to yourself.Shout, sing it.Softly stutter.Correct those who say they knew before you did.That’s not how sexuality works, it’s yours to define.” “But that’s not what our family is. It’s a frayed string of lights that someone needs to fixwith electrical tape. It’s the electricitythat can’t get to usbecause Mom’s bulbhas burned out,so now the whole string is dark. But without the lights turned on,does anyone even notice that we are broken?” “a woman onceoffered me a penciland i thanked her profusely another offered me life again and againand i never got around to thanking her.” “But last night I poutedwhen Mother insistedone of my brothersmust rise first this morningto bless our housebecause only male feetcan bring luck. An old, angry knotexpanded in my throat. I decided to wake up before dawnand tap my big toe to the tile floorfirst. Not even Mother,sleeping beside me, knew. February 11 Tết”
