A review by capy
The January Children by Safia Elhillo

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

3.5

i try to leave home but the ocean bares its teeth
& where i'm from is where i'm from & not
where i was put

a gut-wrenching collection that beautifully blends many elements of what can make someone feel connected to their country; elhillo makes me want to get back to consistently reading poetry books asap

in khartoum’s bright yellow morning my grandfather brings me the season’s first mangoes & tells me it is time to come home | they are firm & green but on the inside all sunlight | i use my hands & spill the juice all down my front i fill my mouth & i do not answer