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Survival Songs
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Poetry (2013)Survival Songs is a collection of poetry by author Meggie C. Royer. The poems and prose in Survival Songs are clear and concise. Grounded through experiences, Royer's evocative poems cast a knowing eye on the wider world, telling us what it’s like to be displaced and replaced, used and abused. Her poems are suffused with a graceful, mysterious pathos and longing. Survival Songs is a remarkable debut.
68 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
About the author
Meggie C. Royer
16 books438 followersMeggie Royer is a Midwestern writer, domestic violence advocate, and the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Persephone’s Daughters, a literary and arts journal for abuse survivors. She has won numerous awards for her work and has been nominated several times for the Pushcart Prize. She thinks there is nothing better in this world than a finished poem.
Royer is the author of the viral 2015 poem, "The Morning After I Killed Myself," which has since been shared nearly 7 million times and has been the inspiration for hundreds of additional poems, short films, and art projects by other artists.
Royer is the author of the viral 2015 poem, "The Morning After I Killed Myself," which has since been shared nearly 7 million times and has been the inspiration for hundreds of additional poems, short films, and art projects by other artists.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
September 21, 2013
If Bella from Twilight ever read a book during the time when she was depressed because her abusive boyfriend left her, this would be the book. Geared for emo teens. Very superficial.
September 21, 2013
(Actually more of a 4.5/5)
The book finally came today, and I read it, re-read it, and re-read it again after that - I just can't get enough of Meggie's writing. Her tumblr is one of my most viewed, I'm just addicted.
My favourite is the one about still not finding love even when you're 20 - what a beautiful thing to write about. I've never, ever read anything else that has captured that feeling of secretive loneliness before. God, her work is incredible. I loved every page.
The only thing that bothered me a little was the amount of poems actually in the book - there wasn't many. It was a substantial amount, don't get me wrong. It was set out beautifully, I loved the layout. I just felt like it was over too quickly.
I don't even know her, but I'm so proud of Meggie for having her book published, and sold in Barnes and Nobles. I look forward to reading her future poetry books.
The book finally came today, and I read it, re-read it, and re-read it again after that - I just can't get enough of Meggie's writing. Her tumblr is one of my most viewed, I'm just addicted.
My favourite is the one about still not finding love even when you're 20 - what a beautiful thing to write about. I've never, ever read anything else that has captured that feeling of secretive loneliness before. God, her work is incredible. I loved every page.
The only thing that bothered me a little was the amount of poems actually in the book - there wasn't many. It was a substantial amount, don't get me wrong. It was set out beautifully, I loved the layout. I just felt like it was over too quickly.
I don't even know her, but I'm so proud of Meggie for having her book published, and sold in Barnes and Nobles. I look forward to reading her future poetry books.
August 15, 2018
Loved it. Here are some of my favorite parts:
Other poems I loved:
THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
FOR TWENTY-YEAR-OLDS WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN LOVED
THERE SHOULD BE AN UGLIER NAME FOR UNREQUITED LOVE
SHOPLIFTING LOVE
A DOCTOR'S OFFICE AND SUICIDE HOTLINE ARE APPROXIMATELY THE SAME THING
LETTER TO MY FUTURE DAUGHTER WHEN SHE WANTS TO KILL HERSELF
THE MORNING AFTER I KILLED MYSELF
TELL ME ABOUT THE FIFTH TIME
HARRY POTTER REIMAGINED
REASONS TO MAKE IT TO TOMORROW
LETTER FROM THE BIG BANG TO SOMEONE SUICIDAL
1-800-I-NEED-SOMEONE-TO-TALK-TO
There was nothing about survival that was easy, but
we tricked each other into believing it could
eventually become a habit.- LOVE POEM ABOUT A COUPLE IN A PSYCH WARD
The year I grew homesick for my own body was the same year
the local police station put a limit on the number of silences
we could hand out, so we treated our words like mints
and placed them on everyone else's tongues.- THE YEAR OF LIMITED SILENCES
You are lightning.
And lightning will always be lightning, no matter
how many times it's been mistaken for anything else.- FOR BOYS WHO HAVE BEEN MISTAKEN FOR GIRLS
I realized that the act of falling in love is not so much a falling
as a desperate, terrifying leap off the highest building around,
the kind of jump that ends in not just a single casualty,
but two.- NOT SO MUCH FALLING IN LOVE AS LEAPING INTO IT
And guess what you call a woman who enjoys sex?
Nothing but her first name.- POEM FOR THE BOY WHO CALLED ME A SLUT
And I am not shy; I just
have more feelings than there are languages in the world.- ON BEING CONSIDERED SHY
I put a stethoscope over my heart and tried
to translate every beat, but it turns out
that some languages are just undecipherable.- WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME WHEN I'M SUICIDAL?
Other poems I loved:
THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
FOR TWENTY-YEAR-OLDS WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN LOVED
THERE SHOULD BE AN UGLIER NAME FOR UNREQUITED LOVE
SHOPLIFTING LOVE
A DOCTOR'S OFFICE AND SUICIDE HOTLINE ARE APPROXIMATELY THE SAME THING
LETTER TO MY FUTURE DAUGHTER WHEN SHE WANTS TO KILL HERSELF
THE MORNING AFTER I KILLED MYSELF
TELL ME ABOUT THE FIFTH TIME
HARRY POTTER REIMAGINED
REASONS TO MAKE IT TO TOMORROW
LETTER FROM THE BIG BANG TO SOMEONE SUICIDAL
1-800-I-NEED-SOMEONE-TO-TALK-TO
October 10, 2013
I've been following Meggie Royer on Tumblr for almost a year now, and I was not surprised that her book was going to be beautifully daring. Meggie has a way of taking what you believe in most, and opening up new worlds and words to make you understand more thoroughly on why you feel that way, or why you should feel that way. Also, she helps you understand that everyone should be allowed to love anyone, no matter what. Meggie is a beautiful woman, and her words are mystifying. If you have not read any of Meggie's poems in the past, I strongly recommend this book. Even if you have read her words before, I still recommend this book. But I don't have to recommend it in that case, because you most likely have already bought it.
August 24, 2013
Meggie's writing is utterly breathtaking. Her way with words hits home every time and leave you craving more !
September 20, 2013
Amateurish.
October 3, 2013
Wow.
I was blown away by this work. I could relate to every honest, heartbreaking, hopeful word. This is a literary work for "us." And we know who we are....don't we.
One of my faves (of many) fell under the category of Compulsions. Titled: THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM. Again, every single word spoke to me.
And for anyone who's different....anyone that doesn't quite belong....there is: FOR BOYS WHO HAVE BEEN MISTAKEN FOR GIRLS.
"You are lightning.
And lightning will always be lightning, no matter
how many times it's been mistaken for anything else."
I was blown away by this work. I could relate to every honest, heartbreaking, hopeful word. This is a literary work for "us." And we know who we are....don't we.
One of my faves (of many) fell under the category of Compulsions. Titled: THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM. Again, every single word spoke to me.
And for anyone who's different....anyone that doesn't quite belong....there is: FOR BOYS WHO HAVE BEEN MISTAKEN FOR GIRLS.
"You are lightning.
And lightning will always be lightning, no matter
how many times it's been mistaken for anything else."
February 6, 2017
One of my students gave me this book to read. She found Royer's poems and they spoke to her. Two days later, before I could even open this book, she wanted to give me another of Royer's books, but I had to put her off until I got through a couple other books.
I am glad I read this book. Royer's poems speak to so many young women and teenage girls. Even at this point in my life, I found pieces of my younger self, and sadly, still pieces of current self. Royer does a beautiful job of speaking to the heartbreak that comes with being a girl.
I think this collection of poems is ideal for girls who have not yet found their way. Girls who are struggling with their bodies. Girls who feel depression and hopelessness sinking in. Girls trying to find a way through heartbreak. Girls who need to find their voices and make them heard. This book speaks to girls.
But, not just to girls. Several of Royer's poems also reach out to young men and their struggles with love, their bodies and their self-worth. I love that her opening poem is about a brother's eating disorder simply because our society so often ignores men who struggle with these issues.
I am glad I read this book. Royer's poems speak to so many young women and teenage girls. Even at this point in my life, I found pieces of my younger self, and sadly, still pieces of current self. Royer does a beautiful job of speaking to the heartbreak that comes with being a girl.
I think this collection of poems is ideal for girls who have not yet found their way. Girls who are struggling with their bodies. Girls who feel depression and hopelessness sinking in. Girls trying to find a way through heartbreak. Girls who need to find their voices and make them heard. This book speaks to girls.
But, not just to girls. Several of Royer's poems also reach out to young men and their struggles with love, their bodies and their self-worth. I love that her opening poem is about a brother's eating disorder simply because our society so often ignores men who struggle with these issues.
August 24, 2013
For a while now, I haven't been reading poetry - including Meggie's work. To read this book twice, cover to cover, sent shivers down my spine and made my head whirl. Meggie is unbelievably talented, her poems are so well put together, and the whole collection fit together perfectly.
The only downfall I can see with this book, is the inclusion of poems from Meggie's tumblr blog. Although they are great poems, I've read them before... Still though, a great collection, and I hope to get my hands on her second book sometime soon!
The only downfall I can see with this book, is the inclusion of poems from Meggie's tumblr blog. Although they are great poems, I've read them before... Still though, a great collection, and I hope to get my hands on her second book sometime soon!
August 24, 2013
"So proud to own a copy,
its been amazing following her writing journey "
its been amazing following her writing journey "
August 25, 2013
Utterly perfect.
September 21, 2013
This one made me cry.
September 21, 2013
Poetry that makes the hairs on your arms stand up. Royer, to put it simply, completely dismantles the idea that young adults can't write about meaningful topics.
February 23, 2014
Melodramatic, juvenile, trite. Recommended to me based on my love for Richard Siken. I was unimpressed.
June 30, 2014
I liked a couple poems, but the rest lacked emotion and tried too hard to either be meaningful or witty.
December 2, 2021
for some reason ‘the morning after i killed myself’ wasnt in my copy, but these poems made me cry and cringe equally as hard.
August 24, 2013
Edit, November 2014: The piece, "For twenty-year-olds who have never been loved" is so breathtakingly beautiful. I've had a very hard time with love and accepting my self and that piece really helped me. I'm so thankful for it. Read it here.
“That was the year I learned the Inuits had over 50 words
for snow, and felt saddened because they only used two of them”
This little thin book doesn’t look like much when you’re holding in it your hands. Don’t be fooled - it contains pure magic. I’ve been a fan of Royer’s tumblr for a long time and even though there are some repetitions it’s fantastic to see them on print.
Royer has this amazing ability to put herself in other people’s place with so much genuine emotion and I just want to keep all her words in my heart like a little gem. Or at least write them all down in my little notebook until I’ll get cramps in my hand.
“There was nothing about survival that was easy,
but we tricked each other into believing
it could eventually become a habit”
The first piece, “On having a boyfriend with OCD” gave me so many chills that it was insane and I started to get tears in my eyes when I read “For twenty-year-olds who have never been loved”. Other favorites of mine were “Poem for the boy who called me a slut” and “All the psychology textbooks say repression doesn’t exist”.
My only critique – and not a very serious kind of critique - is that it was too short. I read it waaaay to fast, but on the other hand, I’m pretty sure that I can read “Survival Songs” again and again and again…
“And guess what you call a woman who enjoys sex?
Nothing but her first name.”
“That was the year I learned the Inuits had over 50 words
for snow, and felt saddened because they only used two of them”
This little thin book doesn’t look like much when you’re holding in it your hands. Don’t be fooled - it contains pure magic. I’ve been a fan of Royer’s tumblr for a long time and even though there are some repetitions it’s fantastic to see them on print.
Royer has this amazing ability to put herself in other people’s place with so much genuine emotion and I just want to keep all her words in my heart like a little gem. Or at least write them all down in my little notebook until I’ll get cramps in my hand.
“There was nothing about survival that was easy,
but we tricked each other into believing
it could eventually become a habit”
The first piece, “On having a boyfriend with OCD” gave me so many chills that it was insane and I started to get tears in my eyes when I read “For twenty-year-olds who have never been loved”. Other favorites of mine were “Poem for the boy who called me a slut” and “All the psychology textbooks say repression doesn’t exist”.
My only critique – and not a very serious kind of critique - is that it was too short. I read it waaaay to fast, but on the other hand, I’m pretty sure that I can read “Survival Songs” again and again and again…
“And guess what you call a woman who enjoys sex?
Nothing but her first name.”
August 30, 2013
Like most early buyers of this book, I followed Meggie on Tumblr. Meggie was my introduction to the honest, emotional poetry community on the website, and has always been one of my favorite poets.
While reading the book, it was so difficult to choose a favorite because they were all lovely and raw. That was until I found the poem that made me discover her blog was included here.
What I love about Meggie's poetry is that she speaks (and speaks very well) for those of us who once had a relationship with sadness, or still do. She affirms the feelings we have or had in a way that is real. Some like to think that we romanticize depression and disorder, but I think we are being honest. This is really how it looks in our head.
If you have ever loved, been loved, been unloved, been lost, lost yourself, found yourself, fought, won, failed--experienced something that “happens to everyone,” but for some reason feels like a giant and personal demon--then this book was written for you.
While reading the book, it was so difficult to choose a favorite because they were all lovely and raw. That was until I found the poem that made me discover her blog was included here.
What I love about Meggie's poetry is that she speaks (and speaks very well) for those of us who once had a relationship with sadness, or still do. She affirms the feelings we have or had in a way that is real. Some like to think that we romanticize depression and disorder, but I think we are being honest. This is really how it looks in our head.
If you have ever loved, been loved, been unloved, been lost, lost yourself, found yourself, fought, won, failed--experienced something that “happens to everyone,” but for some reason feels like a giant and personal demon--then this book was written for you.
August 12, 2014
I must admit, I am somewhat of a new comer to the poetry scene. I stumbled across Royer on her writingsforwinter tumblr blog. I was blown away with the first poem I read, and the second, and the third, etc. I instantly ordered Survival Songs, and read it cover to cover in one sitting. I ordered her second book, Healing Old Wounds with New Stitches as soon as it was made available and finished it in one sitting too.
It amazes me how Royer is able to write about such a wide range of topics, yet nail the emotions associated with each topic right on the head. Her poems flow with such ease. Royer has opened my eyes to the beauty and healing nature of poetry. Truly an amazing writer, and only 19 years old!
It amazes me how Royer is able to write about such a wide range of topics, yet nail the emotions associated with each topic right on the head. Her poems flow with such ease. Royer has opened my eyes to the beauty and healing nature of poetry. Truly an amazing writer, and only 19 years old!
April 15, 2014
This book was lovely, it really made me think. I would definitely recommend if you have interests in mental health issues, realistic type fiction, or just wonderful poetry. I will definitely re read this book many many times and I have hopes of owning a physical copy soon to hold. Some wonderful poems to look out for are "On Having a Boyfriend With OCD", "The Elephant in the Room", "The Year of Limited Silences","Dating a Mutual Ghost", and "Letter to my Future Daughter When She Wants to Kill Herself". Actually, the poem on OCD I saw on tumblr, a blogging site( where I now follow the author) and I looked forever to find the rest of this book, I had to read more!
September 21, 2016
All I can say is that this book honestly saved me at a tough point in my life. Don't let its short length deceive you– each poem is worth 100 pages of meaning and each will touch you in a different way. With the book divided into 7 sections, I found comfort in a different section each day. "For Twenty-Year-Olds Who Have Never Been Loved" is written on a card and taped onto my wall. It gives me a warm heart every single time I read it, so it's fortunate that I have it posted right by my door for easy reading. Much love to the genius that is Meggie.
October 3, 2013
I'm not generally the poetry-type. However, her poetry isn't so difficult that it goes over my head, nor is it so dumbed down that I feel insulted. It's visually rich and the imagery crafted into every line gives me a clear picture of what she's trying to say. This is the perfect poetry book for someone who isn't really even into poetry that much.
September 21, 2013
Royer's writing is raw and pungent with the grit of life. This collection is beautiful and should be read by everyone - her universal themes make it appealing to everyone across the globe, crossing racial, sexual, and age barriers with finesse and ease.
October 8, 2013
I reread this yesterday in an effort to find something I had lost long ago, and I felt the burning of old scars under the new. Meggie is still a poet I long to match wits to, and aspire to love my own words as she has inspired me to write.
October 12, 2013
I adore this author, and this book, and I can't even handle how much it inspires me to write. I could go on forever, but I won't. If you like poetry- if you like Adrienne Rich and/or Warsan Shire and/or Clementine Von Radics- read this book.
October 15, 2013
Not a lot of poems within, but I love this woman's writing so much that I'll buy anything she writes. Her metaphors, style, and personal narratives constantly blow me away with each and every re-read.
5 out of 5 stars.
5 out of 5 stars.
April 8, 2014
Certain parts were personally too dark for my taste. However some poems were just absolutely out of this world. The type that you read over and over again. Survival Songs is a very intense, emotional, and captivating read.
August 13, 2016
One of the most painfully beautiful poetry collections I've ever had the pleasure of reading. wow. the language is so powerful and artistic. the poems themselves are so relateable, cunning, truthful and irreplaceable. the themes obviously stem from the raw and gritty depth of personal experience.
August 24, 2013
this book is everything to me
September 10, 2013
I really like how Royer writes; she uses a lot of imagery and metaphors but anyone can understand them. Overall, a really lovely collection of poems.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews