What do you think?
Rate this book
Naked Human
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Poetry (2015)The blooming of madness. Christopher Poindexter's first book is an exploration of humanity at its finest and at its worst. This is a story written between 2011-2015 about the discovery of what makes us human: doing whatever it takes to keep the loneliness away.
180 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2015
62 people are currently reading
4569 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
April 7, 2015
Oh, my stars! This is perfection! I'm not usually one for poetry but every single piece of this book spoke to my soul on the uttermost level! I absolutely loved it! It was raw, powerful, and oh so refreshingly real!
December 4, 2015
There may be no science to his writing,
no iambic pentameter,
no rhythm nor rhyme.
There are just his words,
words so drunk on life
that you can't help but get intoxicated.
no iambic pentameter,
no rhythm nor rhyme.
There are just his words,
words so drunk on life
that you can't help but get intoxicated.
August 10, 2016
My favorite "tumblr poet".
November 14, 2017
I love poetry books that affects me in one way or another. This one? Not so much.
Want to read
May 6, 2015I'm not exactly coping very well with how badly I need this book... Lol
August 23, 2015
First of all,
A poem book/ anthology of Christopher Poindexter is my first and last ever. I thought about reading something like this during free time in my work but it proved Fruitless.
Chris tried to write an anthology, except he didn't write a thing. Writing is art and pouring your soul into the masterpiece of your life, Not being drunk and scriblling down whatever is coarsing through your wasted stupid mind.
Chris had sth to say but didn't know how to say it.
his anthology is just a drunk old man cursing his day away as well as cursing his past and future alike.
Some minor parts of the book I really enjoyed and appreciated like when he praised "different" humans, different people that are always out of the norm, for they are what gives this world a taste and a purpose.
... so a letter of appreciation to all you special,different and awesome people out there, from him (the author).... and me!
Love you all my readers and thank you for investing your time reading my review <3 ;**
A poem book/ anthology of Christopher Poindexter is my first and last ever. I thought about reading something like this during free time in my work but it proved Fruitless.
Chris tried to write an anthology, except he didn't write a thing. Writing is art and pouring your soul into the masterpiece of your life, Not being drunk and scriblling down whatever is coarsing through your wasted stupid mind.
Chris had sth to say but didn't know how to say it.
his anthology is just a drunk old man cursing his day away as well as cursing his past and future alike.
Some minor parts of the book I really enjoyed and appreciated like when he praised "different" humans, different people that are always out of the norm, for they are what gives this world a taste and a purpose.
... so a letter of appreciation to all you special,different and awesome people out there, from him (the author).... and me!
Love you all my readers and thank you for investing your time reading my review <3 ;**
November 17, 2015
Just like reading Memories by Lang Leav or Black Butterfly by R.M. Drake, reading Naked Human by Christopher Mark Poindexter is like speaking the words that I want to tell the people.
It's my first time to read a collection of poetry that revolves around appreciating the human race. I have the same thoughts actually alongside with the poet. There are days where I feel hopeful that this world has still a chance and there are days where I feel like I'm trapped in a world that is fast-changing and unstoppable. Still, in the end, I keep on believing. I do not want to just believe, though. I am willing to be used too to be a channel of goodness and blessing in this world through Him of course.
Such a beautiful read. ❤️
It's my first time to read a collection of poetry that revolves around appreciating the human race. I have the same thoughts actually alongside with the poet. There are days where I feel hopeful that this world has still a chance and there are days where I feel like I'm trapped in a world that is fast-changing and unstoppable. Still, in the end, I keep on believing. I do not want to just believe, though. I am willing to be used too to be a channel of goodness and blessing in this world through Him of course.
Such a beautiful read. ❤️
July 20, 2015
Christopher Poindexter is my favorite living poet and this book will cut you. The author has the extremely rare gift of being 100% human... of feeling this human gift 100% and desperately trying to soak that pain away in alcohol. I don't know how he got into my head and my heart...but he knows my soul and I know his and every person seeking the truth of the human experience should read this book.
June 22, 2015
Tumblr posts on print.
April 15, 2015
Some of Christopher Poindexter's work speaks deeply to my soul. Then there are some pieces that I think I would have to be on an acid trip to understand. I loved Naked Human for it's raw honesty and the things it made me feel.
September 21, 2016
I couldn't even finish this book. It's the same pretentious, free verse garbage over again and over again.
April 5, 2022
such rawness and beauty in words. an absolutely wonderful poetry book… perhaps my new favorite
February 6, 2017
I first came across Poindexter while scrolling through my Pinterest feed. I read a piece of his prose, and immediately fell in love with his work. I was naïve and impressionable, and I thought his use of adjectives and his romantic view of the world was charming.
So, after a prolonged wait, I spent $25 on this book.
I was so excited to read it, so I decided the perfect setting to begin reading it was a hot bath.
I drew my bath, and eagerly climbed in. I started reading, expecting to be just as enthralled with Poindexter's work as I was before.
Yet as I read, I found a seed of disappointment planted in my mind. That seed grew and blossomed until an anticlimactic fit. I was completely dismayed at Poindexter's anthology.
Poindexter attempts poignancy, and depicts the human condition with meaningless metaphors and confusing similies. I, as a reader, always attempt to keep an open mind when it comes to literature. However, there was no escaping the inevitable conclusion that Poindexter is a drunk and a fool. He thinks too much of himself and too much of his writing abilities.
If Poindexter would let go of his overuse of the word "human", his ego, his annoying obsession with tomfoolery, perhaps he could be a great poet.
Until then, Poindexter, you may as well remain one of the thousands of "social media poets" who won't contribute to history.
Overall, Poindexter's work reminds me of an epigram by J. V. Cunningham, called "The Humanist Whom No Beliefs Constrained." It goes,
This Humanist whom no beliefs constrained
Grew so broad-minded he was scatter-brained.
So, after a prolonged wait, I spent $25 on this book.
I was so excited to read it, so I decided the perfect setting to begin reading it was a hot bath.
I drew my bath, and eagerly climbed in. I started reading, expecting to be just as enthralled with Poindexter's work as I was before.
Yet as I read, I found a seed of disappointment planted in my mind. That seed grew and blossomed until an anticlimactic fit. I was completely dismayed at Poindexter's anthology.
Poindexter attempts poignancy, and depicts the human condition with meaningless metaphors and confusing similies. I, as a reader, always attempt to keep an open mind when it comes to literature. However, there was no escaping the inevitable conclusion that Poindexter is a drunk and a fool. He thinks too much of himself and too much of his writing abilities.
If Poindexter would let go of his overuse of the word "human", his ego, his annoying obsession with tomfoolery, perhaps he could be a great poet.
Until then, Poindexter, you may as well remain one of the thousands of "social media poets" who won't contribute to history.
Overall, Poindexter's work reminds me of an epigram by J. V. Cunningham, called "The Humanist Whom No Beliefs Constrained." It goes,
This Humanist whom no beliefs constrained
Grew so broad-minded he was scatter-brained.
July 28, 2015
I am completely in love with Christopher Poindexter's poetry. His work will make you feel unexpected things and see the world in ways that you haven't considered. Naked Human is one of those great compilations of art that can be enjoyed independently, if you are feeling introspective, or read aloud with some friends over a good bottle of wine. It's deep, eccentric, emotional, and really just totally and completely raw. It's perfect; absolutely perfect. I like poetry and I've read a lot of it, but this guy? He's wicked brilliant.
From the bottom of my heart, Christopher Poindexter, thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts.
From the bottom of my heart, Christopher Poindexter, thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts.
February 2, 2016
"We forfeit freedom too often for what others think of us and what a damn shame that is."
Wow. Christopher's words speak to my soul on such a deep level. I will admit I didn't fully understand every line in this book but I saw and felt the wisdom and raw emotion and intensity of his words and from his experiences he spoke about.
This man is beautiful. And this book, his words, are utterly and beautifully and tragically breathtaking. When I think of his writing and what came to mind as I was reading this book, was "raw emotion". Beautiful, tragic, genuine, real.
Wow. Christopher's words speak to my soul on such a deep level. I will admit I didn't fully understand every line in this book but I saw and felt the wisdom and raw emotion and intensity of his words and from his experiences he spoke about.
This man is beautiful. And this book, his words, are utterly and beautifully and tragically breathtaking. When I think of his writing and what came to mind as I was reading this book, was "raw emotion". Beautiful, tragic, genuine, real.
April 24, 2015
Absolutely love this guy. I have been following him on Instagram, and wanted to support this book so I bought it. He even responded to a message a fellow writer friend of mine sent to him! That's very admirable. I just like how simple some of his pieces are, but they really hit your heart.
July 22, 2017
I could not possibly give any words to describe such a soulful book . the way those short poems were written , were written in body and soul . Poindexter gave a heck of meaning for Love . perfect poetry
thanks Chris ♡
thanks Chris ♡
February 14, 2020
women aren't here to heal men !!! that is not our fucking sole purpose !!!
also romanticising alcoholism !!! please do not fucking do that, thanks mate !!!!
smh all i wanted was some poetry about loneliness to make me feel less alone, and now i'm just pissed off AND still lonely
also romanticising alcoholism !!! please do not fucking do that, thanks mate !!!!
smh all i wanted was some poetry about loneliness to make me feel less alone, and now i'm just pissed off AND still lonely
June 23, 2016
Visceral and beautiful.
Poems for the soul.
Poems for the soul.
May 29, 2018
we build
castles
with our
fears and
sleep
in them like
kings and
queens
~ Christopher Poindexter
I've been following Christopher Poindexter for years on Instagram. Many followers who I do not truly know or who I have not met rarely last that long but Christoper's consistency made it hard for me to let him go. At times I would be tagging friends on his posts or messaging them to people who are dear to me. Other times I would find myself in bed spending my night wide awake reading his poetry, watching him wrestle with the same demons as I but eventually shedding some light on them.
He created an outlet for me to see the world a little bit more clearer. Changed my perspective just right which helped me start to let go of the anger from people who did me wrong. Gave me a small gift that allowed me to accept myself and the world around me. A couple of weeks ago I was scrolling through Instagram when I saw a post by him advertising this book, I have supported him socially all these years and now it was time to cement that by buying his work. He deserves every cent.
Christopher said it best himself when describing his book, "I don't look at this as a book of poetry, rather a book of observation". The common thread that is woven throughout these pages is his search for questions that have no answers. His poetry cuts deep and he offers it pure and unfiltered. You can sense his spirit as you read, it creates a soulful experience. He is unapologetic on how he feels about the world and this honesty adds to the authenticity of his work.
There are some poems that felt flat for me, where I did not feel drawn in, but there were other poems that evoked, from within me, a certain type of pleasure. Pleasure I only get when I experience something truly beautiful. Those moments for me are priceless. It truly is impressive how he can articulate our ill behaviors amongst each other in such a beautiful way.
No matter where you came from, what your upbringing was, or what political ideology you subscribe to, there is something in this book that will speak to you.
I was fortunate enough to have it signed by him.
June 14, 2022
I first learnt about Poindexter's work from his Instagram page. His poems are generally unstructured but several really spoke to me, so I thought that I would check the collection out. On balance, I would describe Poindexter's work as style over substance. The trope of writing poetry on blank white paper with an intricate type-face is out in full force, implying a sense of the grandiose, however when delving deeper into the poems the content is often repetitive and lacklustre. If I were aiming to dissect the poetry in this collection I feel as though I would be disappointed, however when my emotional side prevails I am still struck by some beautifully expressive language and an overall relatability that pushed me to read on. I don't have much of a desire to read through the collection again, however a few pages will stay folded over, awaiting my return.
December 22, 2018
Possibly my favorite modern poetry book read up-to-date, surpassing both the first book of Atticus and Rupi Kaur's. Not only were the poems beautiful, they weren't overly simple or mundane. Although poetry can be written in any form and modern poetry tends to be free-verse, some of his pieces in this book resemble a more antiquated style of poetry that I find refreshing. Poindexter put thought into this book and made use of numerous literary devices in some pieces, which a lot of other modern poets disregard.
October 12, 2020
It’s always difficult for me to critique poetry because it’s such a raw, emotional, and personal experience. Perhaps my mental state during quarantine contributed to it, but these poems hit hard, and exactly where I needed them to.
I’d lie awake with the words still echoing in my head, and when I finished this book, I kissed it and just sat there with my forehead against it for a long moment. It truly felt like a powerful gift, bold and unforgivingly vulnerable. A stunning read that I definitely recommend.
I’d lie awake with the words still echoing in my head, and when I finished this book, I kissed it and just sat there with my forehead against it for a long moment. It truly felt like a powerful gift, bold and unforgivingly vulnerable. A stunning read that I definitely recommend.
May 17, 2018
I just discovered this author on Instagram. I was taken aback by what I saw and instantly went digging for more. I found this book, and I normally don't buy books--just free coffee shop books and the library for me--but I had to get it.
I very happy with my purchase. I am not a poetry fanatic; it's hard to impress me or move me with it. There were a few gems in here though that really made me think and pause. Overall, it was a simple and positive read that I would recommend.
I very happy with my purchase. I am not a poetry fanatic; it's hard to impress me or move me with it. There were a few gems in here though that really made me think and pause. Overall, it was a simple and positive read that I would recommend.
July 8, 2021
Your words pull me out of my darkness and I see light. Poems that I liked & loved: 58
This Poem says all that we are still going through today and I hope racists and homophobes acknowledge their hate and lose their damn egos.
Sometimes
I wish there was
a place in the
furthest
corners of the
earth
where the homophobes
and racists
could be sent off
to
for just enough
time
to make them
realize
people
are not made to fit
into
the puzzle of their
ill-shaped
egos.
This Poem says all that we are still going through today and I hope racists and homophobes acknowledge their hate and lose their damn egos.
Sometimes
I wish there was
a place in the
furthest
corners of the
earth
where the homophobes
and racists
could be sent off
to
for just enough
time
to make them
realize
people
are not made to fit
into
the puzzle of their
ill-shaped
egos.
November 7, 2018
There were some poems that I adored. Christopher is raw and real and doesn’t try to gloss over negative parts about his life. However, there are quite a few poems mostly pertaining to love and relationships that seem to romanticize dependency and the “I am nothing but you are everything” idea, and that made me uncomfortable.
September 10, 2019
Christopher Poindexter birthed in me my heart for poetry, writing it and understanding it. Poetry is beyond words, and with it beyond any rating. Even though this is a 3, my stars for him are endless and will always be. Naked Human is not superfluous nor is it trying. He spoke of himself, of his life. If anything, it is real. and that's how we gage a poetry book or any book for that matter.
May 29, 2018
To be in love with this crazy and cruel but, beautiful world. It takes tragedy, solitude and courage to recognize and celebrate all the facets of humanity. To celebrate ‘your different’ to rejoice in it. Christopher you have shown us the way through your words.
October 8, 2018
I discovered Chirstopher on Pinterest and was touched by his poetry. That's what made me buy the book. But after reading the book, I was dissatisfied. Out of 159 pages, I loved only about 8 pages or less. Not worth spending 1200₹.
June 6, 2017
Beautiful! It is as his spirit is speaking to mine every time I read his poems.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews