Before I start this post I want to state that though this is not ad nor was I in any way obliged to post about this, I did have purchase-free access to an online manuscript prior to the main release of this absolutely beautiful anthology (though you absolutely bet I have pre-ordered myself a signed physical copy which I am beyond excited to receive)
‘Helicopter Honey’ is the 3rd anthology of Katie Proctor (they/them), previous releases being ‘Seasons’ (2022), and ‘A Desire for Disaster’ (tbc.). They also have work published in multiple other zines and run their own poetry journal, launched in 2021, called Celestite Poetry. Though this is unrelated to the rest of the review, you can find my poem ‘Offering to the Gods on page 23 of issue 1 of the wonderful journal they work so absolutely tirelessly to create. Katie has remarkably only just turned 19 years old!
Now, onto Helicopter Honey itself. Helicopter Honey is an absolutely stunning anthology formed of 17 poems entitiled London Underground; love poem untitled; Sister, Sibling; v.s 8th march; 祝福 (blessings); Angel Numbers; Say Less (We’re Easy); You and Me, Summertime; Your Lover; July (Ice Cream and Hyacinths); lessons and teachings; Ante Meridiem; t4t; Third Kiss, 18; HELICOPTER HONEY; Signs; and I tell myself. All the poems are absolutely beautiful however my favourite poem that Katie has ever written – t4t – is in this anthologly!
t4t is a poem I first read when it was published by Lupercalia Press and it speaks to me on so many levels as a non-binary person in a hyperfeminine body and a self concious (to say the least) mind. It stuck with me after I read it because it was just beautiful in its words and made me think about the mentioned instance far after reading it; I thought about my young self and how I would not have understood the hatred I feel now, gender hatred, the dysphoria, as well as hatred non-gendered, generic body hatred.
Some other favourites were ‘You and me, summertime’, ‘July (Ice creams and Hyacinths)’, ‘Lessons and teachings’ (which left my mouth wide open), and ‘and I tell myself’ (which really did heal my heart a little). I also found ‘London Underground’ personally comforting and found it was almost a positive resolution to my own poem ‘tick tick’. It felt that something good could come of it and it made the underground feel like a safe place to escape to (and adventure to and more as seen in Katie’s poem).
It is also notable that ‘v.s 8th March’ is a modern love anthem. It is one of the most beautifully written love poems that I can say I have read even though it is so uniquely written. But what makes it so special is that it is so directly written for their partner and it is just beautiful. And can I just say I am so happy for the both of them for being so beautifully in love.
Please, please go out and buy Katie’s BEAUTIFUL anthology…. you can get your copy…..
Stay safe, stay strong and look after yourselves,
Love always, Lauren x
@holaurgraphic 
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