9781556596292

1556596294

9781556596674

1556596677

9781619322493

"Collection of poems by Akwaeke Emezi"-- Provided by publisher.

The first book of poems from an acclaimed young author, whose meteoric rise has already landed them on the cover of Time Magazine. In their bold debut poetry collection, Akwaeke Emezi--award-winning author of Freshwater, PET, The Death of Vivek Oji,and Dear Senthuran--imagines a new depth of belonging. Crafted of both divine and earthly materials, these poems travel from home to homesickness, tracing desire to surrender and abuse to survival, while mapping out a chosen family that includes the son of god, mary auntie, and magdalene with the chestnut eyes. Written from a spiritfirst perspective and celebrating the essence of self that is impossible to drown, kill, or reduce, Content Warning: Everything distills the radiant power and epic grief of a mischievous and wanting young deity, embodied.

What if my mother met mary

Christening

Disclosure

Achilles had his heel

Please don't remind me we're ghosts

What if jesus was my big brother

I think my father is dying

July 28

Thief

Self-portrait as asughara

Folding for a cruel man

Confession

Excommunication

What if mary auntie called me on my birthday

Fuck me in a fresh grave

"But why did you feel you had to kill yourself, baby love?"

Self-portrait as a cannibal

Scraps

Sanctuary

What if magdalene seduced me

Healing

I thought i could be well

Thousands

Ashawo

When the hurricane comes the men protect their brothers

What if jesus sought vengeance

Parallel

I was born in a great length of river

What if mary auntie explained mortality

Self-portrait as an angel

Oh delilah

I was alone beyond measure

What if my father called jesus a bastard

Mourning

Self-portrait as an abuser

Salvation

Content warning: everything

Self-portrait as a god who is loved

What if my family came to the hospitals.

Nigeria > Poetry > 21st century.