Ashes to Justice by R.E.I.L. (Shaquetta Nelson)

Book Review by Abby N. Lewis

Nelson writes in the first sentence to the preface of her debut collection, “In these pages are my hidden truths, how I made it out through the power of words” (iii). In Ashes to Justice, Nelson bares everything, each hidden truth striking the reader with a vulnerability that’s almost crushing. Yet Nelson is not bitter; she owns her history and celebrates where she has landed on the other side. 

Through alliteration, repetition, end rhymes, and frequent calls for action and celebration, Nelson tells her story with a passion and inherent self-acceptance unrivalled by many. Her poetry vibrates off the page in a swelling symphony of emotion that grabs ahold of the reader and sweeps them along in the tumbling current. Nelson does not shy away from revealing her most traumatic experiences, nor does she sensational her past. 

“Her Testimony” begin with the voice of a little girl of eight, young Nelson.

A little girl sad
Her life had no glory

And she wanted me to tell her story
She wants you to know that it feels good to be alive (3)

The poem continues on to depict a rape scene; the reader is forced to experience the event through the eyes of eight-year-old Nelson. The graphic delivery serves to force the reader to acknowledge the experience. There will be no poetic metaphors or allusions—this is not the place. Here, only facts, details, and rough, unfiltered emotions are allowed. 

After the reader is initiated through “Her Testimony,” Nelson takes a step back, re-evaluating all the aspects of her life that allowed violence to happen to her and shape her again and again. “Sexy Redefined” explores “the real definition of being sexy” (10), while in “A Real Man”, Nelson expresses her desire to “know what a real man looks like” (13). 

The pain Nelson expresses throughout the collection reveals a real catharsis for sharing such deep trauma. Many of Nelson’s poems celebrate her ability to stand strong and live purposefully despite her past. “H.E.R.” is a love letter to both Nelson and all women who have faced trauma and sexual violence at the hands of men. 

H.E.R.
Her Every Reason
To rebuild, uplift
And show reasons for strength
And be the Queens we’re destined to be (20)

Through “Untitled,” an expression of systemic Black oppression, and “I Remember,” a look back at childhood joys and innocence, Nelson weaves a song of determination, hope, and a call for action and celebration. Although Ashes to Justice is difficult to read due to its dark themes and experiences, it is in essence a love letter to survivors. Nelson shares her story to motivate, to inspire. In “Tired,” Nelson shares her exasperation for the state of the world, yet simultaneously extends a call to action: “Because my people / TOGETHER / WE can make it better” (38).

Abby N. Lewis (MA, East Tennessee State University) is the poet of the full-length collection Reticent and the chapbook This Fluid Journey. She writes frequent book reviews for Chapter 16, and she can be found at: freeairforfish.com.