I loved reading Jasmine Mans’ poetry collection BLACK GIRL, CALL HOME. In these poems, Mans gracefully writes about race, feminism and queerness. It’s a heartfelt collection that flows between discussing the poet’s childhood and relationship with her mother, to reflecting on lost loves and societal perceptions of queer relationships. 

 

It also includes powerful sections that focus on sexual assault, and past and present injustices against Black women. The poet’s ability to write about these topics in uncomplicated ways while sharing so much truth is admirable. She places an emphasis on honouring those who have come before us and honouring ourselves, too. Ultimately, this book is a tribute to Black girls and women as the poet finds her way home to herself and encourages the reader to do the same. 

 

I enjoyed the emotional journey of these poems; there’s a lot of sorrow and pain but there’s also hope and love as the poet presents a way to move forward while remembering the past. Some of these poems made me feel calm and seen, while others had me nodding in agreement with anger. I sped through these poems but I returned to them many times as I wrote this review, and each time I came away with a greater appreciation for the simplicity and truth of the words within this book. 

 

I think a lot of people will be able to find a piece of themselves in these poems or something that will challenge their perceptions of one of the topics covered. Pick this up for a tender and emotional exploration of Blackness and queerness.