I loved salt., so maybe I was expecting too much from nejma. There were some brilliant turns of phrases, and I highlighted numerous poems that I liked. But mostly, I appreciated the language. There were a few that made me catch my breath and punched me in the gut, but overall, this didn't really come together for me. I appreciated what Waheed was attempting, and I appreciated the artistry.

The poems I did connect with though...oof. There was a poem about how education eats away at the identity of people of color, learning about writers who are white, white, white. That one made me suck in my breath because looking back, it's so true and I never even saw it

The dedication deserves an extra star by itself. It nearly made me cry.

to you.
my people. of color.
you are an altar of stars.
remember this.
always.
do not forget this.

I am an altar of stars. Oh, my heart. If nothing else, I smile because I am altar of stars. ( )

Like,

"sometimes i want to say it.
and there is nothing in english. that will say it."

Pretty sums up everything I feel about this book. ( )