“This book was titled ‘Homie’ because I don’t want non-Black people to say [Book Title] aloud. This book is really titled…”

From the very beginning of this collection of poems Smith was happy to let me know that, while I was welcome to listen, this work was not for me, not about me. The poems arranged, seemingly, in no particular order paint a picture of modern Black Life celebrating a vibrant culture that many of us only see bits and pieces. This picture also does not shy away from the harsh realities of Black life and all its pains: communal AND individual, divisive AND uniting, systemic AND self-imposed.

Poetry is usually better heard than it is read so if you’re at all interested in this one I would strongly encourage you to listen to the audiobook version read by the author themselves.

“Say it with your whole Black mouth: I am innocent. Or, if you are not innocent, say I am worthy of forgiveness; of breath after breath.”