Homie

Homie is a poetry collection that explores friendship, community, and human connection through the lens of a queer Black American experience. The book contains poems that range from celebrations of platonic love to meditations on loss and grief. The collection moves through various spaces and relationships - from close friends to casual acquaintances, from Minneapolis streets to intimate gatherings. Smith's verses address the realities of racism and violence while also celebrating the bonds that sustain us. The work examines intersections of identity, including race, sexuality, and gender, weaving personal narratives with broader social commentary. The poems take multiple forms, from traditional structures to experimental arrangements on the page. These poems ultimately speak to the power of chosen family and the vital importance of friendship as a form of survival and resistance in contemporary America. Through raw honesty and frank observation, the collection maps the territories of human connection.

Readers connect with Smith's raw expressions of Black, queer identity and their celebrations of friendship amid loss. Many note the collection's intimate, conversational tone and how it balances grief with joy. Readers praise: - The accessible, natural language - Poems that capture complex relationships - Explorations of race, sexuality, and violence - Moments of humor within heavy themes Common criticisms: - Some poems feel underdeveloped - A few readers found certain sections meandering - References can be challenging to follow without context Ratings: Goodreads: 4.35/5 (2,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (190+ ratings) "The poems hit you in the gut while making you laugh," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another describes it as "a love letter to friendship." Critics on Lit Hub and Poetry Foundation highlighted Smith's ability to write about trauma without letting it overshadow moments of joy and connection. Some readers mention needing multiple readings to fully grasp certain poems' meanings.

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🌟 "Homie" was written after Smith was diagnosed with HIV, and the collection explores how friendship became a vital lifeline during this challenging period 📚 Though the book's official title is "Homie," Smith originally wanted to title it "My Nig" to reclaim the racial slur and transform it into an expression of deep love and friendship 🤝 The collection was partly inspired by Smith's close friend who died by suicide, and several poems serve as elegies while celebrating the power of platonic love 🎭 Danez Smith identifies as gender-neutral and uses they/them pronouns, making them one of the most prominent non-binary voices in contemporary American poetry 🏆 Prior to "Homie," Smith's collection "Don't Call Us Dead" was a finalist for the National Book Award in Poetry (2017) and won the Forward Prize for Best Collection