Identity in Shades by Shamir Kali Griffin

Identity in Shades by Shamir Kali Griffin is the sound of truth being shouted from rooftops and whispered under the covers; these are verses that echo gunshots and summon ghosts from generations past. A vulnerable, visceral, and inspiring collection, each poem pulses with authenticity and demands that readers return for a second taste. Swinging wildly from the political and cultural to the personal and emotional, these pieces rarely follow a meter, and while rhyming is prominent and occasionally forced, it avoids being childish or sing-song. Glimmering with Native American allusions, a poignant grasp of love, and a humbly nostalgic voice, Identity in Shades deserves a slow, savoring read.