thoughts on Patient by Bettina Judd

Patient by Bettina Judd was an absolutely astounding collection of poetry.  This collection focuses on the mistreatment of black women in medicine, especially gynecology. There are multiple historical women brought up throughout, such as Lucy Zimmerman and Henrietta Lacks. If you read this and come across these names without recognizing them I HIGHLY reccomend you look into these women. Each have heartbreaking stories and give extra weight to every word Judd uses. 

I rate this book a confident 5/5 stars. By the time I was reading the last few poems I couldn’t help but be moved to tears. Its broken up into four sections; Pathology, Use, Treason of the body is…, and Parity. My personal favorite is tied between Treason and Parity. I have many many bookmarked poems throughout the entire book, though.

 I tabbed nine poems as my ‘favorite’ so it will be hard to whittle it down but If I had to pick I’d say my favorite poem from this collection was On The Politics Of Citation.

And of course I’ll give y’all a little peek in the form of my favorite quote from that poem:

“The line is, No one noticed. It continues, Differentiate me from death.”

And because I just can’t help myself… a quote from the poem The Reasearcher Contemplates Venus:

“Questions that lean toward the body sometimes trip over the dead.” 

While that poem is not among the nine I tabbed, that line struck me so deeply the first time I read it I put down my book and texted it to somebody.

I know I said this about Split (Cathly Linh Che) too, but I really REALLY suggest this collection. And if anyone has already read it… reach out! I would be thrilled to talk more in depth about it.