"I want so badly to write words / with a future attached." - Every Word is My Mothers

"We're under the same moon and I'm sick / with that knowing." - Elegy for the Four Chambers of My Brother's Heart

A stunning debut collection! I was in awe of every poem, marking each as a favorite to return to. It is a collection of elegies for those dead and alive, of looking for/at, of building a childhood, and of loss and love. I particularly found the elegies a stunning set of poems. The title poem-- "Late to the Search Party" is a feat!


I highly recommend this collection!

Debut??????

My man’s gifted through and through. Excellent, raw, emotional collection of poetry. Would recommend ♾️/10!!

I was so excited when my request was approved by the publisher! I downloaded it right away and started reading it. This book is quite the page-turner! The book is pretty shocking! Steven Espada Dawson tackles the tough topic of how to carry on when you're the only one left standing after life's challenges. In these heartfelt poems, Dawson shows how illness and grief can become a new source of strength. The poems in Late to the Search Party blend memories of a family torn apart by circumstances with threads of beauty, joy, anger, and unwavering love.


In four parts, the book shifts restlessly between childhood memories, the sudden disappearance of his brother, and the inevitable loss of his ailing mother. It explores what it means to be a family of one—to be orphaned, whether by fate or by circumstance. In language that is both down-to-earth and otherworldly, Dawson celebrates the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. He illuminates the spectrum of emotions that accompany loss, from frustration and anger to bewilderment and sadness, and also the affection and humor that persists despite everything.


A profound and contemplative exploration of love and loss, Late to the Search Party is a tribute to the families that both inspire and challenge us all.