Ashley M. Jones with Lullaby for the Grieving

In her fourth poetry collection, Lullaby for the Grieving, Ashley M. Jones studies the multifaceted nature of grief: the personal grief of losing her father, and the political grief tied to Black Southern identity. How does one find a path through such deep sorrow? Jones, Alabama’s first Black Poet Laureate (2022-2026), has been much celebrated for her verse. Of this new collection, Imani Perry observes, “Ashley M. Jones’s poems are at once history, sermons, and soul songs. A truth-teller in verse, Jones reaches into the past to teach us courage in the present.” Jones will read from and talk about Lullaby for the Grieving at The NewSouth Bookstore on Thursday, September 25 at 5:30pm. Hope you can join us.