DRAG ME THROUGH THE MESS

In Jessica Mehta’s tenth book, DRAG ME THROUGH THE MESS uncovers what it means to be an indigenous woman in a society where “NDNs” are seen as fashion accessories at best and obsolete at worst. Each poem grips the reader and reveals a king of honest emotion and telling that’s almost unnerving. All the ugliness and hurts of life are explored with a kind of lyrical beauty that causes deep contrasts and juxtapositions. No matter the subject, readers will relate to the work and themes because at the heart of each is a shared experience.

The “mess” of life is one everyone shares, and Mehta touches on emotions and feelings at subcutaneous levels. Inspired by the works of Li-Young Lee, Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, Kim Addonizio, and all the great of confessional poetry, Mehta finds a way to tap into themes we’d rather turn away from and see them with a lens attuned to discovery—and ultimately healing.

Drag Me Through the Mess takes the reader on a journey that delves into the darkest parts of the human experience before bringing them into a soothing light. Featuring perfect word choices, strong line breaks, and recurring totems that tie the collection together, Mehta’s tenth book is perhaps her strongest. It’s a collection that showcases the full spectrum of the human experience that will leave readers saying, “I thought I was the only one.” It’s beyond confessional because confessions are often shrouded in shame. Here, there’s no asking of forgiveness.