#BrokenSpineReads – Magic Lives in Girls by Sadee Bee

Sadee Bee’s Magic Lives in Girls is a hauntingly beautiful poetry collection that delves into the depths of girlhood, trauma, and the reclamation of self. Bee’s work is steeped in rich, fantastical imagery and lyrical prose, making each poem a journey into the visceral experiences of the feminine spirit. This review will explore the thematic elements, provide close readings of selected poems, and offer a textual analysis that underscores the collection’s literary significance.

Thematic Exploration

The collection is an exploration of various themes centered around the female experience, encompassing childhood trauma, self-discovery, and empowerment. Bee’s poetry is filled with references to mythology, nature, and the mystical, creating a tapestry that connects personal pain with universal truths.

1. Childhood Trauma and Memory

Bee frequently returns to the theme of childhood trauma, using vivid and often unsettling imagery to depict the scars left by these experiences. In My Cassandra, the poet explores the lingering impact of past pain:

“In the cemetery, there is a grave for the girl I used to be.
Like a single rose; I lay at her feet.
My fingers run through dry dirt, for grass
could never grow here. I beg her to stay beneath the ground.”

The imagery of the cemetery and the grave serves as a powerful metaphor for the buried memories and suppressed parts of the self that continue to haunt the speaker.

2. Self-Discovery and Identity

Self-discovery is another central theme in Bee’s collection. In I am the Universe Born Anew, the poet reflects on the process of becoming and the interconnectedness of all things:

“Burst forth from the dust of stars, the matter of the universe; a specter of
that loud cacophonous bang, born from the ethereal into the corporeal.
Dispersed into atoms that bond into molecules, the spark of a brain and the
coalescing into this body.”

Here, the poet uses cosmic imagery to illustrate the formation of identity, suggesting that our existence is a continuation of the universe’s ongoing creation and destruction cycle.

3. Empowerment and Reclamation

Empowerment and the reclamation of self are crucial themes, particularly evident in poems like Magic Lives in Girls, where the poet speaks to the inherent strength and magic within young girls:

“We were only girls, searching for meaning and our place in this world.
Outcasts, yet fast friends to each other. Somewhere in the back corner
of the school library, we could be found flipping through books our parents
did not want us to find.”

This poem highlights the transformative power of knowledge and the bond of friendship, portraying the girls as seekers of hidden truths and their own power.

Textual Analysis

Bee’s use of language is both evocative and precise, with a strong emphasis on imagery and metaphor. Her poems often juxtapose stark, almost brutal realities with moments of profound beauty and insight. For example, in Knife to My Neck, she writes:

“The knife does not remember the wound /
even as it drips in the blood of the people that do /
I was born with sharp metal held to my neck / used
by my mother expertly.”

This exploration of purpose and illusion challenges readers to consider the complexities of truth and perception. Similarly, in Learning to Inhale, Bee addresses the necessity of balance in life:

“Suffocation does not equate
To smothering. not always overdoing,
But sometimes
Under-doing,
Creates imbalance; indeed, a lack of oxygen makes
Breathing difficult.”

Through these lines, Bee emphasises the importance of moderation and self-care, themes that resonate deeply in the contemporary context.

Conclusion

Magic Lives in Girls is a rich and multifaceted collection that invites readers to reflect on their own experiences and the broader societal forces at play. Bee’s skillful use of elemental metaphors and her keen observations on human nature make this a compelling read. Her ability to intertwine personal introspection with social commentary ensures that the collection is both timeless and relevant. This is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary poetry that engages with the world in a meaningful and thought-provoking way.

About the Author

Sadee Bee is a queer artist and writer inspired by magic, strange dreams, and creepy vibes. Bee is the Visual Arts Editor for Sage Cigarettes Magazine and the author of Pupa: Growth & Metamorphosis and Magic Lives in Girls. Bee can be found on the web at linktr.ee/SadeeBee.

Publisher

Published by Kith Books.