Review: spring clean

Author:
Sabreen Islam

Illustrator:
Alice Waldow

Publisher:
Sabreen Islam

ISBN:
9780473602376

Date Published:
15 July 2022

Pages:
106

Format:
Paperback

RRP:
$17.99

Raw teenage emotion roars and sobs in Sabreen Islam’s spring clean. In the style of Rupi Kaur, Islam’s collection begins in winter, in darkness, exploring the depths of a broken relationship and the psychological nature of abuse and entrapment. From there, winter moves to spring, where the poems examine the unfurling from bud to bloom, from shattered emotions to a growing individual. Alice Waldow’s delicate leaves and flowers decorate the pages throughout, enhancing the seasonal themes.

This isn’t a book seeking to dazzle with serious literary weight; rather it embraces its accessibility and uses metaphor and light to illustrate its overall message of being brave enough to fight through trauma and grow into one’s true self.

As a Muslim author, Sabreen’s aim is “to be a voice for other Muslim creatives, to help them explore their unique perspective of the world.” In the poem the truth about tribulations, Islam notes ‘my falls will be spectacular / waterfalls / starfall… wait until you see my rise,’ which captures the spirit of the book: one can recover, get up and shine.  

Here’s a poem, bucket list, from spring clean:

my thoughts are moving away from you

carving new pathways

to sunnier, happier destinations

flowery fields

gentle woods

my favourite beach

i’m packing my bags

a holiday for one

digging my hands

into sun-warmed sands

so many things

i had planned

now i only have one:

to do all of them

 — bucket list

Reviewed by: Erica Stretton

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