A mother using SNAP benefits. A young girl discovering her sexuality. A woman in the throws of love. A child watching her mother come alive to the music of James Brown. These are just a few perspectives from which Keli Stewart writes in her collection of poems titled Small Altars. Whether you’re a lover of poetry or are looking for something outside of your comfort zone, add this one to your reading list. 

I’m not familiar with Stewart’s work prior to Small Altars, but she’s been published in Quiddity, Meridians, Warpland, Hip Mama, Calyx, and Rhino, among other noted journals and publications. Her experience and proclivity for written word shows in her work, taking on many forms and emotions. 

I don’t believe I’m the intended audience of this particular work – as a white woman and someone who doesn’t necessarily gravitate towards poetry, this collection didn’t resonate with me as much as it might with women of color or poetry enthusiasts. Nevertheless, I found many of the poems enjoyable – some are insightful, some provocative, and others humorous. 

Below are the poems that I enjoyed the most: 

• Jumpinjumpoutjumpsidetosidejumponjumpinjumpout
• we accept LINK
• pink things
• the couple next door
• venus
• a way to get born
• Escape Plan
• Meditation for Poor Mothers
• on turning 30
• My Grandfather Would Cry
• porn star
• Missionary Haiku
• old women whisper
• How to Read Tea Leaves
• A Poem for Dorothy
• my mama cheating on my daddy with james brown
• who could love a writer?
• revival
• Self-portrait: Me with Hair like Frederick Douglass

The entire collection (about 65 pages total) in Small Altars explores gender roles, sexuality, socioeconomic status, motherhood, and more. I’m sure those who have studied poetry on a more sophisticated level will recognize some of the styles she used as well.

Small Altars is available now.