This wide-ranging collection springs from a simple invitation to share stories. It includes contributions from nearly forty poets, including Ada Limón, Jason Reynolds, Erin Entrada Kelly, Danez Smith, and Amanda Gorman. The multifaceted chorus of voices explores experiences and emotions related to policing and over-policing by various law enforcement officers and agencies, touching on everything from the slave trade to an ICE agent killing Renee Good in early 2026. Evocative pieces of artwork by Damon Davis are interspersed, adding additional layers of meaning.
Starred Reviews:
“For those seeking poetry of protest and resistance, this intense compilation offers fruitful fare. . . . Art and verse offer potent opportunities for reflection upon the social forces that influence American policing, as well as the deep anguish of the vulnerable citizens most at risk.”—starred, School Library Journal
“The collection’s greatest strength lies in its multiplicity. The complex realities of anger, grief, exhaustion, tenderness, humor, and hope coexist without diminishing one another.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews
In this deeply moving collection, anthologists and poets Ari Tison and Ty Chapman give readers an opportunity to reflect, to discuss, and above all, to witness. Mariama J. Lockington is one of many poets included in this work.
The complete list of poets includes:
Kauakanilehua Māhoe Adams, D. R. Bernstrom, Fong Li Blessing, Ty Chapman, Kinsale Drake, Margarita Engle, Amanda Gorman, Ronald Greer, Nikki Grimes, Carolyn Holbrook, Kari Anne Holt, Douglas Kearney, Tae Keller, Erin Entrada Kelly, Halee Kirkwood, Michael Kleber-Diggs, Ada Limón, Mariama J. Lockington, W. J. Lofton, Kyle Carrero Lopez, Kekla Magoon, Kyle Tran Myhre, Alice Paige, Junauda Petrus, Bao Phi, Jason Reynolds, Karuna Riazi, Laura Ruby, Aida Salazar, Hannah V. Sawyerr, Ollie Schminkey, Taiwana Shambley, Sun Yung Shin, Danez Smith, Ari Tison, Padma Venkatraman, Jasmine Warga, and Kao Kalia Yang.
