Name: Vulnerable AF
ISBN: 9781524865757

Tarriona Ball

The debut poetry collection from Grammy-nominated recording artist and slam poet Tarriona "Tank" Ball about infatuation, love, and heartbreak. The real-life story of a relationship in the author's past told in verse and short prose pieces. Relatable and honest, with Tank's signature mix of whimsy and realness, Vulnerable AF is about the difference between love and infatuation, the danger and confusion of losing yourself in the idea of someone else, and coming out on the other side of heartbreak with your sense of self-worth--and your sense of humor--stronger for it.

Vulnerable AF

Briar's Reviews

Vulnerable AF by Tarriona Ball is one incredible collection of poetry that will leave you in awe.

The first introduction sentence along sets the mood and really makes you feel for what's coming. Then we get to each individual piece of poetry that just "Wows". It is "Vulnerable AF". It's a step into Tarriona's minds and feelings. I loved the honestly and integrity that this collection gives off. It felt real, which I really like. I love being able to feel with someone else through a piece of writing.

There's going to be the odd poem you don't relate to - that's the human experience. Even when I couldn't relate, I found myself still enjoying the poems. They are well written and really hit home.

Overall, highly recommend this collection of poetry!

Four out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrew McMeels Publishing for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

Joycelyn Ghansah

I received an eARC copy from Andrews McMeel Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Actual rating 3.5, a higher rating goes for the stunning cover



I pictured this whole poetry collection being performed on a stage, in a dim-lit room. Tarriona "Tank" Ball comes up with a mic and absolutely crushes the hearts of everyone in the audience, spills all her raw emotions, hurts, realness. 

Vulnerable AF made me feel utterly vulnerable and powerful at the same time. The poet opened her heart to us, revealed her deepest emotions, gave us a few life lessons, and shared glimpses of her soul.

Some poems were relatable af, as we all went through a heartbreak or two. The words emanate anger, confusion, hurt, even regret and sadness. The verses and short prose are heavy with all these emotions, mixed with a dose of nostalgia of times when the poet believed that the love she felt was true. 

At times, I felt disconnected from a few poems and prose; they came across as weaker in wording and feelings, with less expressiveness and cohesiveness with the rest of the collection. 


  
    The Ass

Out of all the parts of the body that you could be

I never thought you, my love, could be the asshole
I thought that maybe you could be hands
Reliable
Soft
There
Holding
Or maybe tongue
Quick
Ready
Smooth
Or perhaps arms
Big
Wide
Strong
Maybe even chest
Broad 
Lay
Rest
But of all the things to be, you choose to be an asshole
Shit
Full

And now... released

Expectations

.
.
.
Maybe I expected too much
Maybe I should have never let your arms
Drive up and down my body
As if they were lost
Looking for a fucking rest stop

Whether it be my body or my heart
Maybe I had too many lights on
Made you feel safe, like I was shelter
The kind of place that you
Hide your boredom in

Don't touch me if you don't mean it
.
.
.
  


To all of you who are still holding a flame for someone who refuses to show you love in return, or are in the midst of a hard breakup, read this collection; it would help you heal. 

"It is important that we forgive ourselves for making mistakes. We need to learn from our errors and move on."
Steve Maraboli

Frida Kahlo

Abby N. Lewis

Tarriona “Tank” Ball is a slam poet and a Grammy-Nominated recording artist with her band “Tank and the Bangas.” I had never heard of Tank before reading her debut poetry collection, so, naturally, after finishing her collection, I looked into her music, and she’s an amazing singer! Check out the music video of her song, “I’ll Be Seeing You,” for an example of what I mean.

As a poet myself, I have always been fascinated by slam poets. They are so emotive and performative in such a genuine way, but because of that much of their work falls flat on paper since it’s missing that essential spark of delivery that comes with the live performance. Tank’s poetry, though, didn’t seem to have that problem. I looked up a video of her performing one of her poems, “What You Tell Yourself When You Think No-one’s Watching,” to see how the oral delivery of her poems compares to the written work, and she’s somehow managed to imbue the same level of emotion in her written work as she does in her oral performances.

Continue reading: https://freeairforfish.com/2021/07/26...

Jadyn Post

Definitely a 4.25. This book was so raw and emotional. I just felt connected to the author and the illustrations really brought the words to life. I was holding my breath the whole time I was readying just because it was so deep. Definitely recommend this poetry book. #bookforwardfriends #bffs

Vulnerable AF

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