Skye Jackson’s poetry is raw, evocative, and deeply personal. Each piece feels like a glimpse into lived experiences that resonate universally while remaining unapologetically specific. The themes of identity, microaggressions, and self-reflection are explored with clarity and emotion, making the collection both thought-provoking and empowering.

From the very first poem, “Can we touch your hair?” Jackson dives into the uncomfortable moments many of us have experienced but often struggle to articulate. The poem captured the confusion and frustration of having boundaries crossed in ways that society dismisses as harmless curiosity. It was a reminder of how deeply these moments can linger, shaping the way we view ourselves and others.

What stands out most in this collection is its ability to ask questions that linger long after the page is turned. Why do we accept things as they are, even when they hurt us? Why do we silence ourselves in moments that demand we speak out? Jackson’s words push readers to confront these inner battles and consider what freedom and self-advocacy truly mean.

This collection isn’t just about struggles—it’s also about strength and the journey toward self-awareness. It celebrates the beauty of individuality while challenging societal norms and expectations. Jackson’s poetry is an invitation to reflect, to empathize, and, ultimately, to grow.

For anyone seeking a collection that combines personal truth with broader cultural insight, this book delivers. It’s a reminder to be more thoughtful, more aware, and, most importantly, more human. That's why I'm giving this book 4 ⭐.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

The subject matter of these poems are thought provoking in some aspects mundane in others. All in all wasn’t for me. Struggled to get through it and as it’s a book of poetry not really a good thing.

The poems in this book got me thinking about a lot of things - some of them may seem mundane and kind on the surface but they can be perceived as hurtful by some. It is a great book not just because it shows the struggles of a Black woman, but also because it shows us how perception is shaped by so many things such as feelings and history and how we sometimes forget that we all have different history and feelings and hence different perceptions on the same thing. It teaches us to be kind and considerate. Thank you for a great book.

I got this as an arc on Netgalley and it will come out in February. Get this poetry book. The subjects of the poems are important and deal with the complexity of moving through society as a Black woman. The verse is incredible, and the rhyme schemes were inspiring to me as a poet myself.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC. I saw myself, my family and friends in so many of these poems. Skye Jackson was able to put in words, the feelings and situations that I have been through when I was not able to find the words myself. I felt seen and a sense of belonging.
Starting off immediately with “can we touch your hair?” It was something I have experienced as a child. I was always taught to keep your hands to yourself but I could never understand why it was ok people to come up to me and be fascinated by it like they had the right to touch it without asking. She perfectly captured situations we have been in where we have to hold back on microaggressions or comments that people feel so freely to say thinking that it is not an insult.
Skye’s poems made me long for my own freedom and question what holds me back. Why do not I not speak up for myself at times, why do we go along with the world when we know it is not right at times and it is “just the way things are” I am grateful to have been able to read this and see my own life in her words.