Nejma

Nayyirah Waheed speaks to my soul on a molecular level. Picking up this book is getting advice from your sister. Kisses from your lover. Tough love from the women you come from and a hug when necessary. It is a reminder that yes, you are human. You hurt, you love, you heal and most importantly you don't have to do it alone. Good reading!

Handed this author's name, scribbled out on a piece of paper, I picked this book up looking for something unique, told the format was unconventional. Still, the messages were poignant, and yet poetic. The creative use of repetition supported the main thoughts. The only difficulty I struggled with was the abrupt ending, leaving me wanting much more. Good work!

I like Nayyriah Waheed, but her poetry is something you enjoy overtime. It's not falling in love the first time I read it. But more like reading it five times and find a meaning you can connect with. Her words her simple and powerful and at times enigmatic. Nejma is a good collection of poems. But I have to come back to it several times before I can honestly sum up all that I feel.

i think as a write myself compared to SALT - she was very much hungry to let her emotions out in SALT
here i found some poems to be matching her hunger but not as much
i felt she rushed and was a little lazy in expressing her emotions in this book.
there is a poem in the middle where she takes up 4 pages saying YOU, YOU, YOU and so on.
i felt she was just using up space in the book.

It wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I'm glad I got it on sale otherwise it's not worth spending your money on it. I only liked 6 poems but maybe that's because I couldn't relate to most. I just love the cover.

Edited:
Having now read (most of) the book, I can honestly say that the cover design is my favourite thing about it. I found Nayyirah's work online, and I thought the reason why most of the work that I saw (on twitter, tumblr, Instagram) was short snippets was because that's the sort of condensed material the internet predisposes us to consume.
I wasn't expecting to get a book full of snippets. I was already getting that for free on the internet.
I'm actually annoyed, to be honest. I'm all for supporting WoC writers, but I feel duped. Let me explain (this is going to be long):
There are 172 pages in this book. 28 are one-line poems. 45 are 2/3 lines. Another 41 are 4/5 lines.
What this means is that 114 out of the 172 pages of this book have 'poems' with 30 words or less. Some of them are one word! 'Flowerworks', anyone?
The technicalities aside, I also feel that most of the poems are completely random, shallow (so as to be applicable to as many people as possible), and there is no real theme. Some of them are powerful, in the way in which a Roscharch test can be meaningful to a hundred different people in a hundred different ways because there's no real meaning. There's a one-liner about Andre 3000 next to a new year's day poem about frying calla lilies. But it's poetry, right?
Here's what really upset me though: the 'poem' about Chibok. Nayyirah says she writes for people of colour, but as I stand here NOTHING I have read (as tribute to the girls) has upset me more than this poem. It is the laziest, shallowest, most meaningless thing I have ever read and I was incensed by it. This poem has the word 'you' repeated approx. 300 times, over the course of ten pages, and basically says 'we're waiting for you (x300) to come back.' As a Nigerian who participated in the #BringBackOurGirls marches and protests, that was literally the final straw for me - for someone who cares so much about erasure/the dismissiveness with which Black people's pain is often treated, I don't understand how Nayyirah could have thought that 'poem' was an okay thing to do.
I don't think I will ever buy another book by her again. It doesn't get better than her Instagram/tumblr, apparently.

I'm honestly disappointed. I loved her book Salt so much, I read it and refer back to it over and over again so I thought I was going to fall in love with this one as well but that was not the case. Now in all honesty, there are a few that I absolutely love but I guess im so disappointed because i was hoping to find more of her popular poems in this one, the ones that arent in Salt and I only found like 2. It's a beautiful book, design wise but just not what I was expecting and hoping for.

wanted to love this, because Salt blew me away when I first read it, but sadly I didn't. It was an enjoyable read with some of the most quotable lines I've ever read but still I felt like there was something missing this time around. Like she was just going through the motions.

I don't know what else to say because that's what I got from the book.

I didn't think anything could strike me harder than 'salt' the authors first offering, but Nayyirah Waheed has done it again with her second collection of works, nejma.

I always love the thickness of Waheed's books ...they are so abundant, and I find this to be rare with poetry collections, especially these days.

This is some outstanding work - Waheed is such an atmospheric writer, blending in a myriad of themes some of which explore the cosmos - how it affects the soul in tandem with each of our personal understandings of environment, space and time. The poems are magnificent in terms of form and substance and are an array of rich, lush works dense with imagery, reflections on love and life and the inner workings of the heart, mind, soul and body - speaking on subjects such as the interior of anti blackness, journeys through family and religion and the joy in grieving. I was especially struck by the series of Madiba poems and the gorgeous sensuality in the work throughout the book.

I am changed since reading this, and I would expect that there will be more than a few profoundly affected by the words. I will certainly be buying a copy for a few of my nearest and dearest. I can't recommend nejma highly enough.

As a women and as a person of color few books speak to my experiences. Nejma has given me the chance to see and fell in a truer way. Nayyriah utilizes truth, the truth of her lives and those she is writing for and about, this truth will captivate you. I have never felt a more personal connection with a book than I have with Nejma and Salt alike, they are both astounding. The poems that you read will leave a resonating impression, I highly recommend that you read her words, once you pick it up you will not be able to put it back down!

Nayyirah Waheed is considered "the maybe most famous poet on Instagram”, and rightly so. Her book ‘salt’, touched me deeply, so that I was inspired to read her second book ’Nejma’, published in 2015. In her own, unique writing style, the author captures the reader once more with her beautiful poetry that cover many topics such as feminism, life, relationships, and race. Her poetry is strong and powerful, sometimes like a cry, sometimes like a storm, but always full of wisdom.

Waheed's emotional poetry touches generations of poetry lovers all over the world.

"drop a name in the water.
drop a name in the water.
and a name in the water.
drop another name in the water.
and another.
and another.
and another.
and another.
and another.
and another.
and another.
and another.
and another.
and another.
until
there are no more bodies in your body."

-the rivering, nayyirah waheed | from 'nejma'

nayyirah waheed is a messenger. nejma is her scroll. her words electric, jolting the Spirit to see it's self anew. in nejma, waheed reveals herself to be a rebel- unafraid of exploring the fullness of life, the dichotomy of being. the complexities of color and the forgetfulness of the colonized tongue. ever mindful of the state this world, nejma features a fitting homage to Baba Mandela and in one of the most memorable pieces, waheed symbolically 'leaves a light on' for each of our missing sisters in Nigeria.

i value her presence in the literary world. intentional. searing. provoking. honest. she says for us what our skin screams into the atmosphere. unheard but felt. unseen but seen. i digested nejma in bits. treating it like a delicacy. consuming it with care. with care. appetizing. nourishing. alive.

it is my recommendation that you permit yourself the pleasure of reading nayyirah waheed's nejma. she will captivate you and give to you the words your Spirit yearns to whisper into your ears. into your cells. start with 'emotional porn (the black image industry)'. weep. question. challenge. and give thanks.

This is literary transcendence. It feels like a boarding the consciousness of a single soul rocketing through the Universe and all its dimensions of grief pain love truth longing creativity beauty depravity hopelessness and hope simultaneously then finding strands of yourself sewn into the fabric of the carefully crafted pages of this collection . Dripping with truth and humanity. Melanin is my favorite. I couldn't wait to read it to my son because I never had the right words to diminish any deception he may face in the world. Thank you.

this way you
are held and set free at the same time."
YES! YES! YES!
Thank you nayyirah for sending me such incredible healing, invigoration, validation, passion, and peace. This book was such a tender and fierce blessing to discover.

I first discovered Nayyirah Waheed when a friend gifted me with her book Salt.
I was skeptical at first, because I've never been a big fan of poetry. As soon as I read the first page of her book I was completely obsessed. Her poems lifted so many dark spots in my head and heart. The whole book was magical and healing to me. I found myself texting and sharing her short poems to many of my friends and family, because she perfectly worded so much of what all of us young women go through. I have to say it it was the best gift I have ever received. And now when I want to give a meaningful gift to a friend, her books are the first things that pop into my mind.

After reading and rereading Salt many, many times...(& it's never ever going to get old) I was soo excited to see that she had written a new book. When I received Nejma in the mail I spent forever in awe, staring and examining the cover of the book, because it's just so beautiful. From front to back this book is beautiful. She puts so much thought and care into everything, it's obvious.

"a poem can eat a person
whole.
for years."
-from nejma

Exactly how I feel about both of her books and of course I will always look forward to hear more from her in the future. Her poems stay in my mind and I feel they are forever imprinted in my heart. I don't know this woman personally, but through her writing I feel I know her...I feel she is me. She manages to express SO well so many things I feel and don't know how to say. She definitely changed my outlook on poetry.
Thank you Nayyirah Waheed! I adore you.

Borrowed via Kindle Unlimited.

Different than salt but not that much far off.

Waheed has become one of my new favorites. Her flair and her style is everything. Her poetry is like a ray of sunshine.

Smiles galore and worthy of every single star.

There were several very well written poems but there was too much repetition for my liking. Several poems were the same with a few words changed. I can understand this was done for emphasis but I found it to be annoying and a waste of space. There were also several pages of a “poem” with two words per line that I found to be very unnecessary.

This had to be one of the hardest books for me to put down. I read it in 7 days, most times reading the same page 3-5x over. I have never felt one with anything. I have never been more in love with words. Nayyirah has a different narrative. It is unique, abstract, pure, and freeing! She literally liberates you with her sonnets. Her one-liners. Her titles. I have been able to identify with her voice. Learn her lessons. Smile, laugh, swoon! I could go on, because there is SO MUCH! to say about it. But my words will never truly amount. This is a book of pearls I will treasure forever. Please invest into this incredible woman's art. You will never regret a penny you spend.

Let me tell you something about nejma. She is everything she was meant to be and as such, she is what you need only when you are ready to receive her. Let her guide you...give in and the noise falls away. She will remind you why you need to plant yourself into you and feel the constellations.

"some words. the way they look at you...", an excerpt from the highly anticipated Nejma, by Nayyriah Waheed is one of many ways to describe this tender, vulnerable journey through life and our emotions, through the power of her poetry. Perhaps even more sensitive than her debut, Nayyriah and her poetry become a moon, guiding you through the thick night of every troubling aspect of yourself, of others, and this life, and you arrive at dawn feeling cleansed. If you enjoyed Salt., Nejma will crack open your conscious and subconscious. Indeed, "you and the poems have a lot to talk about".

I gave it 4 stars because i thought it was incredibly beautiful, poignant and easy to read. The 5th star is because although this book and author is getting a lot of attention (rightly so) i don't think this title is a on the same level of a 5 star Langston Hughes collection. It definitely has its shining moments, but overall 4 stars.

Before I even opened the book, I spent a good couple of minutes just admiring the cover art, these the store pictures don't do it justice.

The work itself is as powerful as ever, covering an array of subjects with breathe & ease.

Ms. Waheed's ability to deliver so much depth & detail in succinct verses makes you come back again and again with each re-read opening up something new in you.

I thoroughly enjoyed her first book salt & while nejma may be a different entity, it is a masterpiece in it's own right.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!

Salt was my first introduction to Nayyirah Waheed. Then I read Nejma and I became enamoured all over again. I feel that it's futile to compare the books because they each have a distinct personality in how they have been created. The poems in Nejma speak to me in ways I hadn't experienced when learning about poetry in High School. The fact that Nayyirah discusses identity mixed with imagery of stars, I feel like this book almost cleanses you. Writing like this is rare. Beautiful.

Nayyirah Waheed's second book!! Yes please! nejma is a beauty. It's poetry is a delight to read and share. Nayyirah's poetry takes you through a journey. And with nejma she creates a new world. nejma is similar to salt in the way she writes but it is a whole new set of work that I highly recommended (this book) for its honesty and richness. There are beautiful poems that stay with you and poems that teach you and poems that awaken you. Each read of this book highlights something new and wonderful that inspires you. "Let nejma have you".

There are some pages that hit me with feelings and it made me cry. I think it was very uplifting and beautiful. It took awhile to get through even if it was only 173 pages. I had to take a break. But overall I recommend.

I hesitate to (inadequately) use words to describe the magic of this book of poetry. It felt like an intense therapy session. The words are beautifully and intentionally woven together to create a journey that will not leave you unchanged. I highly recommend along with salt, also by waheed.

I absolutely relish every word captured in this project. As a fellow poet, my imagination went on a vacation. The perspective here is so refreshing and enlightening. As an African American, I felt a kinship with these words. I can go on and on but I want to thank Nayyirah for sharing her mind with me and give me 173 pages of confirmation to write. Thank you

This book is a beautiful continuation of her first piece, Salt. Though the themes are slightly different, grief is more pronounced in this second book, it is strong and simple, beautiful and a single verse can leave you pondering about certain personal situations for a while. I recommend any Nayyirah Waheed book to amateur poetry admirers.

I just finished reading nejma. It took me a week. When I first opened the collection, I assumed it wouldn't take long to get through because of all the white space.

I was so wrong. The poems need the white space so that we can digest them. And I did slowly. And tearfully.

nejma is grace and love and hand and ear and blood and heal and more all at once.

Like another reviewer mentioned, I'd buy this book for every woman I know if I could.

Beautiful insights about race, identity, and love expressed with elegance and concision. Breaks new ground in ways of using language to express a way of thinking that subverts standard ideas of race and gender.

It took my heart. At first I was skeptical to read a book of pens but when I did, it swept me away. Now I can't stop reading it. There is this vulnerable quality to the poems which hits you in waves and then soothes you too.

I chose this book because the name sounded both familiar and unknown to me. The poetry reflects many worlds, many beauties and truths in short gorgeous bursts and long lingering structures. I don't typical pick up poetry but just as the cover and name drew me in, I hope this book does the same for you.

This book will leave you feeling like you had a conversation with Nayyirah. She somehow knows you and takes care of you through her poetry. She is a force. I read her book in one sitting, just as I did with salt. I am rereading salt. today after reading nejma last night! Buy her books. You will adore them.

Healing to the point of a cleansing sustenance, refreshing and enlightening.
A new piece on most pages the book sears easily threw your fingers and you get a motion of something very important happening.

From a beautiful Black Woman
You will re-read again

Nayyirah's words melt over you as you read them. It is rarely often that a woman is allowed to so accurately reach into the mind and pull out the raw material inside; holding it out for all to see. This book in a word: honey because it is sweet, familiar and soothing.