The She Said Dialogues: Flesh Memory

by Akilah Oliver

In her original author’s note to the 1999 edition, Akilah Oliver writes,“What I am trying to do in these poems is investigate the non-linear synapses between desire, memory, blackness (as both a personal identity and a non-essentialist historical notion), sexuality and language.” the she said flesh memory proves to be not only still timely twenty years later, but essential reading for understanding intersectional politics and poetics in our current moment.

Genres: Poetry

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Zack]

This is the kind of poetry I like. Dark. Spiritual in a unique way. Political. Personal. Straight-forward and direct sometimes but also mysterious. Fraught with urgency. I'm looking forward to reading reading more akilah oliver.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thankful to Nightboat Books for reissuing this collection and introducing me to Akilah Oliver whose poetry is beautiful and compelling on both a personal and political level.

[aurora giacobbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

genius genius genius, why haven't i read her before? i needed her sooner.

[Zelda Godsey-Kellogg · Rating 4 out of 5]

i will have the energy to write a review for this soon 🙏

[Ben Ringel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Also for class

[gabriella · Rating 5 out of 5]

brazen

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

"i am going into the coven of lesser stars where pain cannot find me. and there is nothing romantic about death there."