As Soft as Fire: Collected Poems

by Upile Chisala

As Soft as Fire collects Upile Chisala’s three acclaimed poetry books—soft magic, nectar, and a fire like you—in audiobook form, complete with the author’s reflections on her inspiration and process.

soft magic, Chisala’s debut collection, explores themes of survival and healing; nectar expands on the topics of growth and renewal despite hardship; and a fire like you, her most recent collection, celebrates self-love and desire.

Genres: Poetry, Audiobook, Feminism

Audible Audio

First published March 10, 2020

About the author

Upile Chisala is a poet from Malawi. She prefers the term "storyteller." She is considered an Instapoet. She is often considered to belong to Malawi's third generation of writers. She has won numerous awards, including Forbes Africa's 30 Under 30. Chisala was born in south-east Malawi in 1994, and grew up in Zomba.

Reviews

[Kirsten Tattersall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already loved all the poetry collections included in this larger collection, but it was extra special and wonderful to hear them directly from the author herself, with extra commentary sprinkled throughout.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review of the audiobook, as read by the author, and collects three of her previously published poetic works with the author’s reflections on her inspiration as well as insight into specific poems. It’s my fervent belief that poetry is best read by the poet who created it and l, thankfully, she proves me right with her melodic and passionate voice. Her poems cover a vast array of ideas from the place of women in society, to the need for self-love and compassion, to relationships between friends, family, and lovers, and how black people, particularly women, are treated. Raw with honesty and melodic rhythm, this is a stunning collection.

Thank you to Libro.fm for providing a copy of this.

[coffee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really nice collection of poems. I also liked the moments in between when the author talked about the overall theme of the poems or something that inspired them. I didn't realize that was bc this is a collection of her books, it works well. Good if you want some reassuring and powerful words to encourage you

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abandoned at 31%. They were beautiful and empowering words, but many of the poems felt the same. I'm having trouble sticking with books right now, tbh. I loved the poet reading her own poems on the audiobook. She has such a soft, earnest voice.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful audiobook; highly recommend! Many thanks to Libro.Fm for the ALC!

[Cody Roecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adored this beautiful audio poetry collection! Highly recommend. Warmed my heart throughout.

[ShaTonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really words can’t express how these poems make me feel. The collection is amazing!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes I get "Advanced Listening Copies" for librarians from Libro.fm. (Libro.fm is a really awesome place to get audiobooks for a good price, and the profit is split with an independent bookstore of your choice! It's a win win.) Anyway, this was one of the ones available for the month, and I thought, "Why not, I'll give it a try." A good chunk of my favorite poets are black women, after all.

I don't know if this was just the poetry I needed right now or if I would have loved it five years ago or five years from now just as much, but this collection was everything. It was even more powerful read by Chisala herself in a melodic, soothing voice. It's been a long time since I discovered a poet whose words I wanted to devour, but this was it. Her words are centering, comforting, and empowering. I loved the collection so much that I bought all three volumes in print and in July I read along while I listened to the whole thing again, marking my favorite passages—I almost ran out of post-it notes.

Follow her on Instagram or Twitter or anywhere else you can find her online. Buy her books. Tell me I'm right!

I am a force even when I'm deeply alone
because being loved by yourself is
enough to make joy wherever you stand.