A review by emmaito
Iep Jāltok: Poems from a Marshallese Daughter by Kathy Jetn̄il-Kijiner

5.0

The first published book of poetry written by a Marshallese author, Iep Jaltok, is a powerful, haunting, & beautiful collection. Through it, Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner raises a call to action, as she demands justice in the face of devastating effects of climate change on her home island. Her writing covers themes of colonialism, racism, forced migration, & more, & each poem begs to be read slowly & carefully. This book is a treasure that I encourage yall to read.

Excerpt from "History Project":

At fifteen I decide
to do my history project
on nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands
time to learn my own history

I weave through book after article after website
all on how the U.S. military once used
my island home
for nuclear testing
I sift through political jargon
tables of nuclear weapons
with names like Operation Bravo
Crossroads
and Ivy
quotes from american leaders like
90,000 people are out there. Who
gives a damn?