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I really liked this in the end. The beginning section was high concept, difficult to read and get a handle on, and then it resolved into more what I was expecting. I loved both, though probably the second half more because I ‘got‘ it more easily. Just like with salt., Nayyirah Waheed puts her finger on complex feelings so perfectly in so few words. I feel like every poet wants the gift she has.

Marking off “poetry” because I finished Nayyirah Waheed‘s Nejma on Kindle last night. Woo! I didn‘t love it as much as I love salt., but it was still worth the read, and I may want a physical copy of this one, too.

#jennyis30
@jenniferw88

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I found Waheed‘s follow-up to “salt.” a bit lacking compared to her previous collection of poetry, which was disappointing since I loved “salt.” Since the rebranding of “nejma”, like she did with “salt.”, I still have trouble understanding the concept she uses in the beginning pages. I also found that her poetry was not as well done in this collection and found few poems that I actually liked where her original excellece shined through.

So beautiful and deep. Never corny or unoriginal.

Although I didn‘t love this one as much as ‘salt.‘, I always love Nayyirah Waheed‘s work.

This poem brought tears to my eyes. Just what I needed.

Loved the meditations on writing and the power of poetry, along with the striking critiques of institutional racism.

Happy New Year, Litsy! May we all feed ourselves with books and fellowship.

"There is no healthier drug than creativity."

Rating: 4.5/5 stars.

Nayyirah speaks to my soul and I think that is beautiful. 💕

I let Waheed's salt. and nejma wash over me earlier this week. While not every poem struck me, I got so caught up in contemplating the ones that did, and in considering the very nature of poetry, that I'll be reccing both collections.

(Full disclosure: the poem above is from salt., not nejma. I read them so close together that I didn't feel up to separate reviews.)

I may be in the minority. I only liked maybe... 60% of the poetry in this book. I‘m starting to wonder if contemporary poetry is for me. I just don‘t get how two lines could be considered poetry. I don‘t like giving this book a low rating when it could just be -me- not getting it. There were quite a few poems that tackled racism and representation that were beautiful and heartbreaking. Verdict: Library and THEN decide if you want to buy.

1.) anything gummy.
2.) Down Among the Sticks & Bones by Seanin McGuire
3.)Vegan pizza if I could find one I liked
4.) 38 first cousins I believe
5.) @AprilMaesBookHabit
#friyayintro

I wish I could give this between so-so and pick... it was really good and I loved some of the pieces but I didn't enjoy it as much as other collections I've read recently and some just went straight over my head.
But it was still really great!

Powerful ❤️

Gorgeous.

there is no healthier drug than creativity.

"yes. yes I do. have the right to be this lush and neverending."

???

Making myself some snacks for my wild #LitsyPartyofOne ??

Taking a break from my book to read some gorgeous words by the lovely Nayyirah Waheed!

"I want
work that is a relentless
oasis."

Isn't that words to live by! ?

"...and in the midst of all this. gratitude. la. (no) was lost. before. i ever found it."

Had 30 mins left on the train after finishing a book and this poetry book on my kindle. Some good poems in the collection, not quite as many as Salt, but still impressive.

This makes me sad 😔

I love this - both the original comment and Nayyirah's response! ❤️💞

overall this is a pretty solid collection, loved a few poems & skim read through a few as well. Salt is still my favorite (that whole collection is a gem really), but this was her first published book so the comparison may be a little unfair.. anyways if you enjoy Nayyirah Waheed's poetry I would give it a shot 📚

Damn, I nearly cried reading the dedication. It hit me deep in the feels.

I am an altar of stars. I will not forget this.

Such a great poem! I want to put this on the wall of my therapy office. A great reminder! 😍

You are the prayer!

❤️ this poem so much! So happy to see it pop up this am on Instagram! ❤️

Nayyirah Waheed writes as a woman of colour, for women of colour. She writes of an education of dead white men and women (of being written out), grief poems to madiba, and of words and poetry. These are beautiful poems of her experience, and I'll come back to them time and again

#litsypoetry365

Reposting from @hyacinth (thank you!), in case it's still Friday where you are.

#litsypoetry365

Second book read of 2017 (2/50). Also, one of my books for #thefreeblackwomenslibrary 2017 reading challenge. #diversebooks2017

This. So much this.

Yes, I do have the right. So do you.