Libre

by Skye Jackson

A soaring collection of poems that deftly explores the familial, personal, and societal relationships of a young Black woman trying to make her way in a fraught world.

Freedom reverberates in Skye Jackson’s breathtaking debut, Libre, with evocative poems that are heart-wrenching, haunting, sensual, and tender. This collection explores the experiences of a young Black woman in New Orleans as she navigates the pull of familial and romantic relationships, celebrating the joys of Blackness, art, and friendship. Libre also includes Jackson’s award-winning poem “can we touch your hair?” which was hand selected by former US Poet Laureate Billy Collins for inclusion in the Library of Congress Poetry 180 Project.

An acolyte of Sade and Stevie Nicks, Jackson muses on microaggressions, interracial relationships, and the endless intricacies of Black women’s hair as she rails against loss, random violence, and the dark expectations that society often places upon people of color. She roams each room of the heart, open and unafraid of what she might find behind every door. Through it all, this debut shines as the poetry refracts and reflects like a mirror leaving nothing unseen.

Genres: Poetry

124 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 4, 2025

Reviews

[Sav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skye Jackson’s poetry is raw, evocative, and deeply personal. Each piece feels like a glimpse into lived experiences that resonate universally while remaining unapologetically specific. The themes of identity, microaggressions, and self-reflection are explored with clarity and emotion, making the collection both thought-provoking and empowering.

From the very first poem, “Can we touch your hair?” Jackson dives into the uncomfortable moments many of us have experienced but often struggle to articulate. The poem captured the confusion and frustration of having boundaries crossed in ways that society dismisses as harmless curiosity. It was a reminder of how deeply these moments can linger, shaping the way we view ourselves and others.

What stands out most in this collection is its ability to ask questions that linger long after the page is turned. Why do we accept things as they are, even when they hurt us? Why do we silence ourselves in moments that demand we speak out? Jackson’s words push readers to confront these inner battles and consider what freedom and self-advocacy truly mean.

This collection isn’t just about struggles—it’s also about strength and the journey toward self-awareness. It celebrates the beauty of individuality while challenging societal norms and expectations. Jackson’s poetry is an invitation to reflect, to empathize, and, ultimately, to grow.

For anyone seeking a collection that combines personal truth with broader cultural insight, this book delivers. It’s a reminder to be more thoughtful, more aware, and, most importantly, more human. That's why I'm giving this book 4 ⭐.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy!

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The poems in this book got me thinking about a lot of things - some of them may seem mundane and kind on the surface but they can be perceived as hurtful by some. It is a great book not just because it shows the struggles of a Black woman, but also because it shows us how perception is shaped by so many things such as feelings and history and how we sometimes forget that we all have different history and feelings and hence different perceptions on the same thing. It teaches us to be kind and considerate. Thank you for a great book.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing voice. I loved the imagery and the mournful or wistfulness to some of them. Often it felt like a sigh, but in a relief kind of way. I think some of the metaphors were a little low-hanging or repetitive, but I'm excited to see what else comes from this author.

Thanks for the ARC

[Therissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC. I saw myself, my family and friends in so many of these poems. Skye Jackson was able to put in words, the feelings and situations that I have been through when I was not able to find the words myself. I felt seen and a sense of belonging.
Starting off immediately with “can we touch your hair?” It was something I have experienced as a child. I was always taught to keep your hands to yourself but I could never understand why it was ok people to come up to me and be fascinated by it like they had the right to touch it without asking. She perfectly captured situations we have been in where we have to hold back on microaggressions or comments that people feel so freely to say thinking that it is not an insult.
Skye’s poems made me long for my own freedom and question what holds me back. Why do not I not speak up for myself at times, why do we go along with the world when we know it is not right at times and it is “just the way things are” I am grateful to have been able to read this and see my own life in her words.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nimbly, vividly, briskly catches the ironies that come with being who she is and either squashes them under her thumb or lets them go. And keeps the eponymous meanings to herself, and yet wears then out in public at the same time, like "a feather clasped in a chain."

https://artsfuse.org/311583/poetry-re...