Spells of My Name

by I.S. Jones

Spells of My Name speaks to the power of naming as an act of reclamation, making peace with the past to find a window to the future. I.S. Jones is in awe of bodies and opening the body into a new language, probing the micro histories of the heart and asking urgent questions, like: ‘Why do any of us return / to that which has promised to slaughter us?’ Navigating sexuality, memory, and identity is a voice torn into multiple selves. This fracturing is full of diversions and sharp bends—a black fawn that the speaker transforms into as she bounds and leaps between poems while being chased by the faceless hunter. Jones searches for home, a place wherever “memory takes mercy on me.” Spells of My Name is unflinching, confessional, timely, and fluid with grace.

Genres: Poetry

45 pages, ebook

First published November 30, 2021

Reviews

[Crystal Odelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A testament to the power of naming. SPELLS OF MY NAME is a potent debut poetry chapbook that interrogates, “What does it mean to be a queer American & Nigerian?” I.S. Jones delves into the personal and political histories of her words and reclaims a presence of being with/of strength & grace.

[Sadiyah Bashir · Rating 5 out of 5]

While many speak about intersectionality, Spells of My Name captures the rawest essence of what it means to be human and experience one life through many identities. This book weaves in pain, sorrow, love and triumph in a way that leaves the reader in awe and wanting more.

[Loic Ekinga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start the difficult task of listing my favourite pieces:

- A field, Any field
- Self-portrait as Etioly
- Can You Speak Yorùbá?
-Interview with The American/Nigerian
-Weather For Two
-Esperanza
-On Transatlantic Shame (still my favourite prose ever written)
-How To Spell Infinity
-My Therapist Asks, "Is The Hunter In Your Dreams Your Father?"

I honestly tried not to mention all of them because I really love them all!
I.S Jones’ use of form and language is truly beautiful. These were honest poems, stories that give permission and language to the reader to look at themselves and weed out their trauma by acknowledging its existence. There is so much loss and beauty, and power, and self awareness in these pieces, that even as a male reader, I couldn't separate the speaker's humanity from my own.
I'm done reading it now but I'm still reeling from the deer who finally survives the hunter, from a speaker who came into her own power. Also, I cannot praise her enough for the African feel to these poems. As a writer of African descent myself, I always find delight in finding my story in the works I consume. She blends her American life with her Nigerian self so well, I'm in awe!
One of the best works I’ve read this year!

Honestly, one of the best works I've read, ever.

[DeeSoul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes, you read a collection of poems le go "wow, poetry is in such good hands." Such is my reaction to finishing this stunning chapbook by I. S. Jones. The language in this collection is rich but not confusing, musical without leaning into opacity. I.S. is a poet I could read & never tire of, such is the propulsion of her work, full of hunger & longing. Only makes that much more hype to read
Bloodmercy :)

[Carly Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully cohesive collection that had me feel the feels: I laughed, I gasped, I read in awe.