Jasmine Farrell

Title: Sloppy
Author: Jasmine Farrell
Publisher: Independently Published Just Breathe Jasmine LLC
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Sloppy" by Jasmine Farrell

My Opinion:

The title kept me intrigued as I read through this thought-provoking story that dealt with the main characters...Roxanne, her mother, and Johnson. It seemed like Roxanne was very much into homosexual relationships, which was unacceptable to her mother, especially with her being a minister. Then Roxey starts dating Johnson, and it seems like he knew of her previous relationships and still supposedly loved and wanted to marry her, but will that happen? Johnson was quite a character that was only for what he wanted, and that was total control. What will happen when he finally gives her a ring?

As time went on, Roxanne decided not to marry Johnson, which was a good thing; however, she was also wishy-washy, which made this story enjoyable to see if she would finally do what Roxanne did want. Then Johnson was still coming around and trying to get what he wanted, which was Roxy's control. Will that happen?

What will happen when Roxanne has a new love in her life? Will, her mother, accepts this as Roxanne chooses a new love. To get the answers to these questions and more, you will have to pick up 'Sloppy' and see how this author brings it all out to the reader.

By the way, I did see the reason for the title because a lot of what happened in this story was 'Sloppy' [with mother & daughter, [Roxanne & Johnson] and [Roxanne and a few ex-friends] even though it was a good and decent read.… (meer)

I haven’t read a lot of poetry in my life. Even though I like long articles if they are interesting and well written, I think I prefer poetry to be brief. Jasmine Farrell’s Release: You fits the bill, and in a very good way. The inspiring poems are gutsy, not sappy. I am reminded of William Carlos Williams when I read Farrell’s poems.
These works resonated with me. I read them at a time when I needed some cheering up. Yet, these inspirational words aren’t hokey. They are deeper than that, which I am grateful for.
The themes of these poems focus on the self and the issues that people wrestle with: identity, love, self-worth, relationships. There is no doubt who is important in this collection of poems.
In “You Deserve Love First” Farrell makes this observation:
“You don’t have to love yourself in muttered whispers while loving everyone else with a megaphone.”
How many people do we know who are like that? Too many, I’m afraid. Or they idolize others without realizing how much they sacrifice, and how worthy of love they are.
Farrell also encourages those who are content to “Then, Go Share It”:
When you’re done filling yourself up with love, acceptance, affirmations, reflection, self-accountability and grace….
Let it over flow, pouring into those around you.
For those who struggle with frustrations and anger and loss from the past, Farrell writes in “Inner Healing Has No Deadline”:
“Take your time.
Crawl to healing waters if you have to.
Sit in your pain by the rivers of clear and evolution.
You don't always have to explain.
The scars will fade. Your story never will.
The ache will decrease and your voice will fight
to be heard even if it has to leak from the sides of your lips.
Your light will be irrepressible and you'll smile genuinely.
I'm sure of it. Just hang on.”
The line, “you don’t always have to explain” really resonates with me. As someone who is tired of explaining “why?”, it’s refreshing to know that I can just say, “I don’t know.” I need to do it more often.
In “Funeral”, Farrell lists advice:
“If it’s
Dead and over with,
cease peeking at the coffin.”
This is something I need to learn.
There is great advice in these poems. They are reminders that we need to listen to others less and to our own souls more. What do we want? What do we need? What makes us happy? These are the kind of poems I enjoy reading. Inspiring, but also keeping it real, in real language.
People who think they don’t like poems might want to check this out. The works are short, and even the longer poems are only a page or two long. They are inspiring, but not in a syrupy-sweet kind of way. They are actually encouraging. I’ve read so many self-help books and “inspirational” poetry that basically tell you what a loser you are. Not a great way to win fans. For all the focus on positivity, these books basically tear you down before they try to build you up. Farrell’s poems are basically saying, “you’re okay. You’ve been through some stuff, but haven’t we all? And you’re going to be okay.”
I’m sure I’ll be turning to this book if I’m feeling low or stressed out. It was such a pleasure to read this little collection of poems. Farrell seems to get what so many of us struggle with. The messiness of being human, fear of failure, not being enough, worrying about what others think. Knowing that what works for others may not work for you. Basically shutting out the bad and embracing the good. Knowing that people can and will tear you down because you are hurt, different, whatever. Acknowledging that, but then going forward and spending time knowing that loving yourself and being okay with yourself can go a long way toward making the world a better place.
I felt better after reading this book, and from me, that’s saying something. Afraid of poetry? After reading Farrell’s book, you won’t be. And you’ll probably be wanting more.… (meer)

Phoenixes Groomed as Genesis Doves by Jasmine Farrell is the poet's second collection of poem. Farrell is a freelance writer and blogger from Brooklyn, NY. She has a Bachelors degree in Communications.

I wasn't sure this was my type of poetry when it was first offered. The title drew me in with its combination of two different mythos. Both speak of rebirth after destruction-- one from fire and the other from water. Reading the poems I found the same duality. The early poems in the collection speak of younger days with hopes and worries. The later poems take on more adult and contemporary issues including race and the institutionalized violence associated with it.

From her poems, it seems Farrell had always wanted to be a poet but not always supported in her goal. Like many people she felt a bit intimidated by those who "really know" poetry and poets. Her themes reflect this feeling with poems of winter and cold. Fighting this cold are dreams and a warm beat that took me back to my youth and hearing, for the first time, Rickie Lee Jones' Young Bloods:

Shimmy when you feel a catchy tune

I shimmy at sunrise, wiggle flowers whenever rain storms drench the pedals.

There is that youthful attitude that knows things will get better. The youthful, young adult independence and the spirit of an artist bleeds through in “black ink.”

But, it is best to walk solo than with packs who feed off
your radiance, rather than cuddling their own.

Beauty is
your smile when you finally know your worth.

The reader will slowly see the poet slip into the realities of the modern world. Hopes and dreams are not necessarily crushed but they are damaged by the world around. Hope remains but so does the recognition of injustice and hypocrisy in life. Farrell does not lose hope for all the negatives she experiences. She reminds us that there is goodness and art in the world. Hope and reality battle through this collection, but like the phoenix the poet also rises. The dove in Genesis brought back proof of a better future when it returned with an olive branch following the flood. Farrell saves the best and most enlightened poem for last. Her closing stanza in the long and final poem "How I'm Doin'" ties everything together perfectly. It is her olive branch after the flood.… (meer)

Some people go through life avoiding difficulties and hard times. Some live through them and come back stronger like the Phoenix. We idolize what is perfect instead of what has survived. A knight in shining armor is a perfect hero, in a perfect world but in the real world, shining armor means someone whose mettle has not been tested. No one with experience has perfect armor. Likewise, when knocked down we return stronger much like the Phoenix.

Farrell's Phoenix is its own tradition. The nine mantra's of the Phoenix reminds one of eastern philosophy mixed with fantasy: Burn brightly, soar high and always remember where you came from. The laws might be seen almost like the contemporary Instagram "poetry," but rather than leave them, Farrell uses them as a springboard to her poetry. The writing is easy to read and follow along. The themes vary with the mantras and provide support.

The poems support both good and bad times and offer comfort where needed and strength where it is lacking. Farrell, although young is an old soul, and that soul's experience guides her writing. She displays wisdom and direction in her writing. Furthermore, her writing and style remind me of my younger days. Memories of my times growing up in the 1970s are reflected not only in the poet's style but in her use of words like shimmy and sashay. We all have hopes and dreams that are missed, taken from us, or fumbled. Farrell gives the motivation to continue on and achieve.… (meer)