Sage

by Yaffa As

Sage is a poetry collection that acknowledges all transphobia is systemic but the pain of everyday interpersonal violence is still felt in our bones. A collection that highlights challenges and joy within interpersonal relationships from the perspective of a queer and trans Palestinian living at the margins of displacement, disability, immigration & ongoing genocide. Sage is a beacon of light, shedding light to wounds that have festered and rotted, and finding the paths forward as fascism claims more of who we are.

Genres: Poetry, LGBT

124 pages, Paperback

Published May 15, 2025

Reviews

[Jackson’s Books & Music · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Meraj Publishing for an advanced e-ARC of this poetry collection! All views are my own.

I strongly appreciated Blood Orange and looked forward to reading the poet’s next work. I highly recommend Sage, which was expertly crafted and emotionally poignant. It explores themes of transness, identity, discrimination, family, religion, grief, loss, genocide, and so much more. The poetry is creative, expressive, hard-hitting, and moving. I strongly look forward to reading more by Mx. Yaffa.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

“My heaven is their nightmare”

Sage is the newest collection of poetry by Yaffa. It is a searing collection of free form poetry that covers themes of being a trans Palestinian in a hostile world.

Yaffa’s poems culminate in the intersectional identities of being trans, Muslim, autistic, disabled, and Palestinian. The poems feel interconnected across these identities. It is a vulnerable collection where the poet brings us into their life through the intimacy of family and the inhumanity of society.

I’ve saved a lot to revisit in here and this isn’t a collection to be missed.

Thank you to @merajpublishing for the gifted copy.

[Shameem · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you to meraj publishing for a gifted ARC of this book.

SAGE is honestly breathtaking in both its breadth and depth. yaffa’s poetry is sharply personal and yet universally resonant.

this is a collection of powerful reflections on what it is to walk in this world as trans, muslim, autistic, disabled, pälestínian, and so wholly human. not only navigating the cruelty of an empire that rejects every piece of what makes you who you are while funding and co-signing the genocide of your people, but also the intimate griefs of existing in circles and communities that refuse to truly see you. yaffa doesn't flinch. they ask us to bear witness and to hold ourselves to account.

and yet, within this unflinching directness, this message to the world, i found there to be such intimacy. poems written to people we may not know but who are a part of yaffa’s world. i thought these were especially powerful. they bestow on us as readers the privilege of witnessing yaffa speak the words that perhaps can't always be said aloud; truths that come only through writing. they offer such courage and strength to anyone who may be trying to find ways to communicate their deepest selves with the people in their lives.

i felt so connected to yaffa’s words. not because all our experiences are the same, but because their poetry is filled with such humanity that it spoke to me and the ways in which i have struggled to navigate this world. in SAGE, yaffa holds grief and resistance in equal measure. they are a light that forces us to see the crushing presenting reality while also illuminating the path forward.

[☆~Shea~☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yaffa is genuinely one of my favorite poets ever. Their work feels crisp and cutting, equally impactful whether the lines are few or many. They have an unforgettable, unmistakable voice that manages to get to the heart of every emotion, every experience, and spread it out so passionately on paper that you feel it in your own soul.

Their bold pieces don't need to be covered in metaphors or flowing verse. Each poem feels directly taken from their own being and stamped defiantly on paper, both in celebration and mourning, rage and tenderness. Their stories and perspectives - of being trans, of being Palestinian, of simply being human - live forever in the words that they put down, and I feel like everyone should read as much of their work as they can.

Yaffa is an incredible artist and an even more incredible person. I don't feel like any amount of words that I have can convey how inspired I am by them and all they do. I'm beyond honored to have received this book in exchange for a review and to be a part of a street team that's privileged enough to help share and promote their work with the world.

Favorite pieces:
To be Queer, Part 3
Wonder
Religion
Erase
Gaslighting
I Don't Want
Death
Problem
Visible?
Bestsellers

[Fin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poetry collection made me realize how relatable it is to feel alone and accompanied at the same time as a LGBTQIA2S+ Muslim in a world that values us only on our efforts and achievements this poetry collection made me go through good and bad tears as well as self reflection of the people I call friends and found family in life through being active in collective liberation against GENOCIDE AND CONOLIZATION!! :,( I yell because I've lost some friendships due to them being neutral and ignorant about clear annexation of the Palestinian people. The mention of Sam Nordquist and Imam Mushin Hendricks shows how we ignore that we exist that people don't seem to acknowledge that we queer/trans people of faith exist and thrive in out own intersectionality upholding communities that seem to look over our dignity and identities. I would recommend this book honestly to anyone looking to understand how queer/trans Muslims struggle through Eid/Ramadan with unaccepting families but still trying to keep a connection even if it hurts.

[Moth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this collection a lot, actually. I enjoyed the first half more, but all the poems were good.
CW: transphobia; genocide & colonization; emotional abuse (family); ableism

[Caer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“and I am Trans refusing” fucking beautiful poetry collection on transness and palestine