When Rap Spoke Straight to God

“Again, Erica Dawson has expanded the possibilities of what we think poetry can do. The lusciously long poems in When Rap Spoke Straight to God are sensual and openly political and so well-crafted in epic blank verse that we begin to see how the contemporary moment has yet to fully correct far too many historical moments. And it does this with a lyric intensity that I dare say can only be achieved by a poet fully aware of her place in time and its potential . . . or as Dawson herself says, this is “the story of a woman. How the skies/came out of her wherever. Spacious skies./Dark skies. Grown woman skies.” - Jericho Brown, author of The New Testament

“"BEACON: When you navigate the world, it’s often useful to have guidance in your travels (see also ILLUMINATION). A Key to Treehouse Living is revelatory, a literary lighthouse that forges new routes of understanding. Every life is uncharted terrain, but Elliot Reed gives us a roadmap so that we might understand in more clearer terms how to transverse our terrifying, wonderful world."” - Rachel Kaplan, Avid Bookstore

“Reading Erica Dawson's poems reminds me of the time a former race car driver took me on a crazy tour along the southern French coast's narrowest roads. It felt dangerous and exhilarating. I kept peering over the edge of the cliffs at the ocean far below, and I kept thinking, "Well, this will be a beautiful place to die." But that driver, much like Erica Dawson, was always in control. I love her poems for that control, and for their music and humor and eccentricity. She is one of my favorites.” - Sherman Alexie

“Erica Dawson is a poet of verve and nuance, of high learning and pop culture, of a classical music she seems to have invented herself. ” - Mary Jo Salter