Poemhood: Our Black Revival: History, Folklore & the Black Experience: A Young Adult Poetry Anthology by Amber McBride, Erica Martin, Taylor Byas and LLC Ashwin Writing (photographer) is getting a lot of press. It will get a lot of awards and a lot more attention before things are said and done. And it deserves all and everything it gets. It is a very lovely collection of poems. We have contemporary poets and classical ones, too. You will know some of the poems and others will be fresh. Many talk about history, others talk about Today and Now. There is everything from being a black woman to slavery. And while some/most might not be exact things you yourself as the reader have experienced, many are still relatable.
And regardless if you find yourself relating, you will find yourself thinking about and wondering about things. You will want to explore the beautiful language on the pages. And though there is photography credit given, there is only the artwork of the cover in the edition I was reading. I am not sure if there are other editions or I am missing something, but I am not sure of that. However, regardless, that is one nifty cover. It really jumps up and makes you take notice.
It is a short, seemingly simple, but deceptively so, work of art. Everyone who reads it will have their own take on things due to experiences, what you bring to the table and more. It shouldn’t have taken me long to read around 100 plus pages, but it took me several days. I needed a quiet, cozy spot, and needed to take time reading. Even if things are not “harsh” and you will know the emotions that are being given. It is meant to be uncomfortable.
A great companion read to Black Girl You are Atlas by Renée Watson and Ekua Holmes.