In a significant literary event, AIM Higher, Inc. has announced the release of Kim Noriega’s first full-length poetry collection, Naming the Roses. This publication marks the nonprofit publisher’s second release and builds upon Noriega’s previous chapbook, Name Me, by adding over 30 new poems that delve deeply into the effects of addiction and abuse.
Noriega’s work has garnered praise from fellow poets and critics for its raw honesty and powerful imagery. Dr. Sarah Luczaj, author of 64 Changes, describes the collection as poems that ‘storm in with … [a] chilling juxtaposition of romance and violence in the strong unapologetic voice of a woman.’ This juxtaposition is a hallmark of Noriega’s style, which confronts difficult subjects head-on while still finding moments of beauty and resilience.
The collection’s importance lies in its unflinching exploration of male-on-female and family violence, addressing topics that are often shrouded in silence. Noriega’s poems give voice to experiences of ‘the whispered-to-children-don’t-tell-anyone kind, the blackened eyes, the bruised throats,’ bringing these hidden realities into the light. By doing so, she contributes to a broader conversation about domestic violence and its impact on individuals and families.
Cecilia Woloch, author of Carpathia, notes that among the roses Noriega names are ‘the bruises that bloom from sexual violence and the self that blossoms in the aftermath of the effort to love and love again.’ This metaphor encapsulates the dual nature of Noriega’s work, which acknowledges trauma while also celebrating the human capacity for healing and growth.
Noriega’s credentials as a poet are substantial. She has been awarded the San Miguel Literary Sala Flash Nonfiction Prize and has been a finalist for both the Edna St. Vincent Millay and Joy Harjo Poetry Prizes. Her poem ‘Heaven, 1963’ was featured in former poet laureate Ted Kooser’s syndicated column American Life in Poetry, further cementing her reputation in the literary world.
Beyond her writing, Noriega is actively involved in the poetry community. She serves as the poetry editor of The Poetry Distillery and works as a teaching artist with The Poetry Barn. Her commitment to nurturing new talent is evident in her founding of The David Wade Hogue Poetry Scholarship through AIM Higher.
The impact of Naming the Roses extends beyond the literary world. Noriega has pledged to donate a portion of her proceeds to Kathy’s Legacy Foundation, a nonprofit organization that serves children and pets impacted by domestic violence in San Diego County. This decision underscores the real-world implications of the themes explored in her poetry and demonstrates a commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by abuse.
Dr. Luczaj’s final comment on the collection speaks to its emotional resonance: ‘I only wish I could inhabit the unashamed, unpitying, beautiful, warm, defiant spirit of this book that rises off it like steam.’ This sentiment captures the essence of Noriega’s work—a blend of raw honesty and resilient beauty that has the power to move readers and potentially inspire change.
Naming the Roses represents an important addition to contemporary poetry, offering a voice to experiences that are often silenced and providing a platform for discussions about addiction, abuse, and healing. As readers engage with Noriega’s powerful verses, they are invited to confront difficult truths and consider the complex interplay between trauma and resilience in the human experience.
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