God, this book arrived to me in the right moment. The author describes everything so easy, just the way it is and the way I write stuff on my notes app at 3am. Is it sometimes sort of trying too hard? I wouldn’t say so. I insist, this is the way we all want to express our bottled up feelings in our phones, but we always end up by shutting down the phone because it never makes sense. Queer poetry about unrequited love and hopeless pining sounded right up my alley, but a lot of the book is filled mostly with short, bite sized poems that sound more like shower thoughts and journal doodles. Lotsa platitudes and dull prose. Despite that I did like that it read more like a story and had a sense of continuity. The bits about anxiety and overthinking if someone feels the same as you were nice, and the last chapter was cute as they wrote more about everything working out and being in love and accepting their queer identity. so a LOT has happened since my friends and I moved into an apartment together (Aleyah being one of them). She told me that she has feeling for me after we had a drunken night of going a little too far. and it’s been a wild ride. we’ve made out a few times, and I’m definitely not straight (which never actually needed physical confirmation, but I have it). we have decided to just “vibe” and see where things go. I still struggle to make moves on her because I have spent so long trying to move on. I am terrified of myself and my sexuality. I just wish I could stop caring about what together (virtually) after and it helped. I have some introspection to do, and lots of self-care. I’m less afraid to be alone with my thoughts. they have calmed, no more anger. no more frustration. I still have questions, but I’m coming to terms with leaving them unanswered. she said no, there is nothing more that I can do. I said what was on my chest, and she gave me the answer I need to move on. I have to trust the timing of my life. I’m so proud of myself.

permission to love (permission to feel) by karlee north

I’m sorry that I let you treat me like you did -like I owed you something. I’m sorry that you were what I thought I needed. thank you for showing me that I don’t need you. that you were never the one. I spent so many hours wondering if I had made a mistake letting you go. I was blinded by the butterflies and familiarity. I hope it comforts you to know that I found someone that treats me right. someone that respects and cares about me with all that she is. I hope you find happiness too. we learned a lot from each other. I learned how to value myself and what love doesn’t feel like. I used to wonder when we would be done kissing. I don’t do that anymore. I’m sorry that I didn’t give you clarity, I was too busy giving it to myself. I hope this letter finds you, in the stars or in a laugh or in a song that reminds you of me. that is all the closure I can provide. As one queer poet to another, this is an absolutely beautiful collection of poetry. I love the way that this book takes you from being friends with someone to slowly falling in love and being happy in your relationship. I love the way that the author unapologetically talks about sexuality. Definitely a good read! permission to love is a heart wrenching look at coming out in the modern day. It follows the author’s journey, but anyone who has experience as a queer person should be able to relate on some level. It isn’t the best poetry I’ve read, but I am glad I read it and I feel like it is a necessary work to be put into the universe.

waiting for both of them to realize that forever doesn’t exist. all that exists is the present moment. love is not a forever gift. it is felt in each moment, until it’s not. I wanted to feel more at times, and other times I didn’t want to feel at all. I wish it went on and went deeper into the mind of Karlee. So, I am giving this 4.3/5. my heart is surrounded by golden armor. she is protected. she is fierce. she does not let anyone in. nobody gets to hold her. she wants to take off her armor, lose herself in your arms, but she keeps asking the mind for permission. and the mind keeps reminding her, that nothing lasts forever. so the heart sheds a tear and keeps her armor on, and turns you away because she is told to believe that this isn’t forever, but nothing is forever. that’s what makes life so magical and meaningful. the mind is so scared. the heart, a hopeless romantic. the soul, craving to feel: Also, if you’re not part of the LGBT community and fear you will not identify, just give it a try. I may not be part of the community but I had the chance to associate the authors feelings too much. Maybe not in my sexuality but in other aspects she describes clearly.

permission to love (permission to feel) : north, karlee rose

This put together book of separate journal entries/story/poems feels so personal, and like I’m just having a one on one conversation with the writer. It’s deep, it’s meaningful and it’s for anyone that has ever questioned their own sexuality. Or anyone that’s had days where they didn’t know their purpose, and they might need a little reminder that they matter. Caution: the subject matter discussed in this book may be too intense or disturbing for some of the book’s readers. These include the following: this is the story of a girl who fell in love with her best friend- who then rejected her. so the girl spent the summer working on herself and exploring her sexuality…and then the friend confessed her love to the girl and then they took a chance on ruining their friendship to experience (potentially) what their love story could feel like. and now, the former best f; riends are queer lovers: navigating the ins and outs of being a queer couple and being in love.karlee rose is a twenty-three-year-old queer poet looking to connect to the world with her poems. she has been writing poetry since she was a little girl and has been enjoying the bliss of sharing them. she has a science degree she probably won’t ever use. so for now, she shares her words with you. the ultimate goal of her poetry is to be a safe haven for the queer community, as well as bring representation to the poetry world: especially in regard to queer love.