Ada Limón, a highly respected poet, gained recognition with her fourth book, Bright Dead Things (2015), for its unique and personal voice that touches on themes like growing up, finding solace in nature, and coping with loss. Her subsequent collection, The Carrying (2018), which won the National Book Critics Circle Award, continued to showcase her ability to convey deep emotions and profound insights through her free-form poetry.
In her latest work, The Hurting Kind, Limón explores interconnectedness with nature, fellow beings, and ancestors through introspective and autobiographical narratives. While addressing themes of loss and mortality, the collection’s first poem, “Allow Me This,” sets a tone of finding joy amidst pain.
Structured around the seasons, The Hurting Kind moves beyond personal reflections to examine humanity’s relationship with nature without imposing human-centric views. Limón’s poems urge readers to appreciate nature in its pure form, devoid of human interpretation. By focusing on detailed observations and attention to the world around her, Limón elevates her work to a level of profound empathy and understanding.
Rather than viewing nature through a lens of symbolism or anthropomorphism, Limón seeks a more genuine and attentive love for the world. Her poems challenge conventional notions of beauty, urging a deeper connection with all living beings. Through her verses, she emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the autonomy and intrinsic value of the natural world.
In the concluding section of “Winter,” Limón shifts focus to relationships and the enduring bonds with loved ones. Through poems like “Against Nostalgia” and “Forgiveness,” she expresses profound love and attachment to others, breaking away from the cycle of loss and renewal. The title poem, “The Hurting Kind,” pays tribute to her ancestors, blending personal reflection with humor to explore the complexities of love and heartbreak.
In her work, Limón bravely exposes her emotions and vulnerabilities, advocating for a deep appreciation of the world despite its capacity to cause pain. She challenges readers to consider the enduring power of love amidst inevitable heartache and uncertainties.
