Leila Mottley follows her trailblazing first novel with a perfectly pitched first collection of poems that demonstrate her spark and scope. woke up no light reckons with themes of reparations, restitution, and desire.

Instant five star read. I loved the pacing of this collection and the flow from girlhood to womanhood (and every trial/tribulation in-between). I read it in an afternoon - devouring every expression of emotion.

The collection explores themes of Black girlhood, men/boys, identity, family, injustice, sexuality, and so much more. Stylistically there is a great deal of range here and I think this is a collection a wide range of people can enjoy.