I was lucky enough to get to see crawford read in person, and I just had to buy this collection when the reading was over!

Most of the reading was from this collection, along with some brand new unpublished work. I had just finished reading his second chapbook, Twerkable Moments, and in this one the focus shifts from dancing to cruising/hookup culture, as well as the vulnerabilities specific to those at the intersection of Black and queer. (My heart in my throat as he read from one poem depicting a meetup with a stranger in the woods — even as the poet is sitting safe in front of me.)

Favorite lines:

I guess leaving this earth is just me settling my
debt with god, he gave me a body and sins and blood and
desire and let me fuck who I wanted...

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Year of the Unicorn Kidz, jason b. crawford's debut full length poetry collection, tackles the uniquely queer experience of the beauty and ugliness of love and desire. From the joy of the dance club, to the fear of surviving a random hookup, these poems capture the multitude of challenges facing anyone in the queer community as they navigate trying to find their place in this country, and the universe at large.

Poetry does not usually work for me, so imagine my surprise and delight when each and every single one of these poems spoke to me on some level. The poem "Glisten," in particular, immediately transported me back to my younger queer days and the simple joy of dancing at the club, listening to your favorite music, wondering how the DJ was going to transport you next.

An important collection for any young queer person to read. Highly recommended. ( )