Instructions for Traveling West: Poems

These poems spoke to me in a way that brought tears to my eyes, goosebumps across my skin, and left my stomach turning because potent truth will do that. This collection is truly medicinal, with metaphors so captivating that I find myself mulling them over days after reading them. The courage and boldness and raw honesty on each page was refreshingly intoxicating. I plan to give copies of this book as a gift many times over, to inspire, encourage, and simply indulge in something beautiful.

The poems have stayed with me, days after finishing the book. They are truthful, often painful, lovely, and real. The comparisons of this writer's work with Mary Oliver's are apt. I also see glimmers of Linda Gregg here. I'm looking forward to reading more from Joy Sullivan.

from Instructions for Traveling West: "First, you must realize you're homesick for all the lives / you're not living. Then, you must commit to the road / and the rising loneliness. To the sincere thrill of coming / apart."from Eve's Apology: "Lamentably, my apology is serving a life sentence and / cannot receive visitors. To be honest, my apology just / bloomed into a field of scarlet peonies. I plucked them / into a bouquet that bled all over your breakfast table."from Want: "They say men want freedom / and girls want love, / but I've seen women leave / lovers and countries and kingdoms / of comfort just for the chance / to sleep unbothered"

This book is beautiful in ways I cannot describe. It was gorgeous from page one, and the last section was my favorite. Joy is humble and down to earth even from afar. Will love to see more releases from her!

Joy's poems bring you into the heart of your own life by reading clips of stories and poems the capture your attention with light, love and loss from revealing memories and thought of her own with the reader. Genuine. A must read!

An incredibly moving, thoughtful collection. So many of these pieces hold a mirror. Worth the preorder, and perfect to gift.

These poems/short essays inspired me, healed me, and opened me. Could not get enough. Dog eared so many favorites to come back to. Buy asap!

A thought-provoking, accessible collection of growth and transformation. I found myself connecting to several poems from my past life experiences when I had to start fresh. I appreciate the ability to be immersed in a collection like that.

This collection of poems will make you think about what is important in your life. It will make you want to leap toward the thing that you've been contemplating for such a long time. It will bring up the feelings in you that you need to feel to make a significant change in your life. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who is searching and also to those who believe they've already found their path.

First time I ever pre-ordered a book and waited so eagerly for it. And it didn't dissapoint.Goes straight to your heart. Feels like a loved one taking you by the hand. So recognizable and familiar.This book will be treasered forever and re-read so many times.

Thoroughly enjoying slowly making my way through this. I teared up for the first four poems - beautifully nostalgic and visual.