4.5
Oh how I loved this collection.
I have highlighted so many passages, I might have to get a physical copy so I can annotate it more efficiently.

"Rather than sugar-coated bullets that enter you lightly, these poems are designed to hurt" and they do.

I am not good at describing poetry but Sumaya Enyegue is able to phrase things in such a way that forced me to take a moment and reflect on what I've read every few lines (this is a good thing!!!).
Heavy is the Head is vulnerable and powerful, pain and strength at once.


List of my favourite poems:
GIRLHOOD
MISSING PERSONS REPORT
PEACHES
JUST ONE OF THE BOYS
A POEM IN WHICH I REPLACE THE WORD BITCH WITH SISTER BECAUSE THE ONLY TIME MEN RESPECT WOMEN IS WHEN THEY'RE ATTRACTED OR RELATED TO THEM
HOW LOVELY IT IS TO BE BLACK
THE NEXT WAR IS GOING TO KILL US ALL
INSOMNIA
WHITE ACTIVIST EXPLAINS ERASURE TO ME
NOAH DOESN'T TALK ABOUT HIS MOTHER ANYMORE
SYMPTOMS OF WOMANHOOD


TW for the book: topics of sexual assault, violence against women, violence against bipoc, struggles with mental health

Thank you NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.