The
Rat King
Dark
Poetry by Sumiko Saulson
DookyZines,
2022
ISBN-13:
979-8835153923
Ebook,
90 ppg.
Buy link
One
thing a poet must do is bring to life what other people fail to see. And only a
poet can put into the right words the civil injustices as well as the wrongs
enacted against the marginalized communities. With The Rat King by
Sumiko Saulson, readers will see just how well this can be done. Here is a
collection of poetry from the perspective of one such person in one such
marginalized community who is not afraid to speak up and bring to light the
many kinds of negative actions inflicted upon them. Not only this, but this
particular poet takes a stand against those who feel no qualms about being
bigoted assholes, as well as speaking out against those who try to downplay
their very identities.
There
are the unreal horrors written about in this book, but also the real horrors.
Real horrors of what BIPOC queer people endure under the current regime. One
poem that shares this horror is “Mantra of the Oppressor.” It is strong and
profound, echoing exactly what many BIPOC people, as well as those who are
BIPOC queer, are currently going through. They are being told to be silent. To
be quiet. Not to speak out against oppression. I liked the hashtag statement
repeated in this poem, as though it is the speaker’s mantra in an attempt to
try to stay calm and not lose their shit over what is happening and how it
affects them.
The
title poem “The Rat King” is not really so much about the actual Rat King of
lore but a metaphorical Rat King that preys on the homeless/unhoused. I support
helping the unhoused, so this poem made me angry over the prejudices and hatred
spewed against those who are forced to live on the streets.
Another
good poem in this book is “The Latency of Racism in Sunny California” which is
on page 68. This poem stands out because it’s the reason why so many people are
cutting off others who are acting racist. I know someone who ended a friendship
with a person because he got fed up over this person’s constant use of the “n”
word when referring to someone who is Black. We may have tolerated racism in
the past but we cannot tolerate it anymore. And for a person who is Black and
has to hear racist language that other people spew, it’s damging. As it says in
the poem:
“Ignoring
bigoted things you do
Is
bad for my mental health
I
am sorry you are so defensive
I
didn't want to war
But
your racist microaggressions
Are
too consistent to ignore”
Plus,
it says a lot about the people who DO tolerate racist language and behavior
from others. You know, We CAN stand up against racism. We can end a
conversation or leave a room or change the channel. Doing these things does not
mean we are “sensitive” or a “snowflake.” It means that we won’t tolerate
racism! Though the aggressor may not see it this way and just see our refusal
to tolerate it as a sign of weakness, as the poem says here:
“If
people don't go along with
Your
racist bullshit
You
tell us we have a thin skin
We
have to suffocate on
All
of your garbage
In
an attempt to fit in”
But
standing up against racism proves that we don’t agree that that sort of
behavior or language is okay. It’s NOT okay. And we should not have to
suffocate on it, either.
I
really enjoyed reading all of the poems in this collection. They are strong,
defiant, outspoken and powerful. There are many poems that bring to light
topics and issues some people may not realize and that’s one of the remarkable
qualities of these poems. They don’t just set right what was set wrong but they
give a voice to what many people fail to see or understand. The poems in The
Rat King say the things that others are not brave enough to say, making
these poems a collection that will linger and make people think.
Five
stars
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
