Why Dust Shall Never Settle Upon This Soul

Why Dust Shall Never Settle Upon This Soul is a poetry collection divided into three main sections: School, Trees, and Flowers. The poems trace experiences of gender identity, cultural belonging, and personal transformation. Each section approaches these themes through different frameworks - the structured world of academia, the natural cycles of growth and decay, and the persistence of beauty. The verses range from compact haiku to expansive free verse narratives. Ryka Aoki combines elements of her Japanese heritage with contemporary trans experiences in Los Angeles. The collection moves between childhood memories, everyday encounters, and moments of profound change. The work speaks to resilience and authenticity in the face of societal expectations. Through imagery of nature and human interactions, these poems explore how identity persists and evolves despite external pressures to conform or remain static.

Readers highlight the raw emotional depth and personal nature of Aoki's poetry collection. Many connect with the themes of transgender identity, Japanese-American culture, and finding beauty in everyday moments. Likes: - Accessible yet profound language - Incorporation of both English and Japanese elements - Balance between vulnerability and strength - Poems that read like intimate conversations Dislikes: - Some found certain poems too abstract - A few readers wanted more narrative structure - Occasional repetition of themes Ratings: Goodreads: 4.24/5 (83 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (12 ratings) "The poems hit you right in the gut with their honesty" - Goodreads reviewer "Manages to be both deeply personal and universally relatable" - Amazon review "Like having a heart-to-heart with a close friend" - LibraryThing user No major review publications covered this collection extensively, with most feedback coming from independent readers and poetry blogs.

The Collection Plate by Kendra Allen Through poetry and prose, Allen explores identity, faith, and family through the lens of a Black queer woman in the American South.

Time Is a Mother by Ocean Vuong These poems navigate loss, heritage, and transformation through the relationship between a queer Vietnamese American son and his mother.

The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi The story unfolds the life and death of a gender-nonconforming character in Nigeria through interconnected narratives of family, identity, and belonging.

Gut Feelings: The Intelligence of the Unconscious by Gerd Gigerenzer This book illuminates the hidden world of intuition and subconscious decision-making through scientific research and real-world examples.

All the Flowers Kneeling by Paul Tran These poems chronicle survival, transformation, and healing through the experiences of a queer Vietnamese American poet confronting trauma and rebirth.

🌟 Ryka Aoki is also an accomplished martial artist with a black belt in Judo and a professor at Santa Monica College 🌟 The book blends multiple genres including poetry and prose, breaking traditional format boundaries while exploring themes of identity and belonging 🌟 The title comes from a poem within the collection that challenges the notion of settling or conforming, reflecting the author's perspective as a transgender Asian American writer 🌟 Aoki received the Academy of American Poets University Prize, and her work has been honored by the California State Senate for "extraordinary commitment to the visibility and well-being of Transgender people" 🌟 The collection includes pieces that incorporate elements of Japanese culture and folklore, weaving them together with contemporary American experiences