el such thorough representation of themselves not only in poetry but in any media and not only in the beautiful moments but in the sorrowful ones, ranging throughout life. James does a brilliant job of portraying this and all her themes brilliantly; highly recommended."

-Starred review by Library Journal

"Song of My Softening by Omotara James is a fierce tour-de-force by a debut voice who I'm certain will be around to continue to thrill readers with her language, vulnerability and bravado"

-Joseph O. Legaspi

"[James's] poems explore the experiences of a Black queer woman whose life and body are routinely dismissed and disparaged. But she persists until she can sing in full-throated celebration, "Today we are alive / in summer. Unencumbered." This is an intimate, vulnerable, and ultimately triumphant collection."

-Ron Charles, Washington Post