"Amy Saul-Zerby's language is direct, beautifully clipped-a terseness that poem after poemswells into an expansive reckoning with depression, love, and, of course, the self. Insight, here, ishard-won. These memorable poems ripple with intimacies and linguistic pleasures. They willstay with you."- Eduardo C. Corral, author of Guillotine"Amy Saul-Zerby's unforgettable new poetry collection, Choose Your Own Beginning, isrevelatory in its frankness and sexy in its cool detachment. "i have no interest / in being / yoursmall dependent // animal?" the speaker of one poem claims, even as the poems explore ouranimal need for love, connection, danger, and surprise. Hungry, seductive, confessional, pithy,the intimacy of these poems is bracing and gorgeous."- Richie Hofmann, author of A Hundred Lovers"Choose Your Own Beginning is a collection of beauty, devastation, and deep resilienceresonating through every poem. Moving naturally between humor and harsh truths, these poemsdemand to be reread again and again, revealing a little more with every image and every line,every crevice in every word. When Amy Saul-Zerby writes "i am trying to // tell you it's okwithout lying" you believe her and brace yourself."- Ariel Francisco, author of Under Capitalism If Your Head Aches They Just YankOff Your Head