"note on the title: this book was titled 'homie' because i don't want non-black people to say 'my nig' out loud. this book is really titled 'my nig.' - page [v]."

"Homie is Danez Smith's magnificent anthem about the saving grace of friendship. Rooted in the loss of one of Smith's close friends, this book comes out of the search for joy and intimacy within a nation where both can seem scarce and getting scarcer. In poems of rare power and generosity, Smith acknowledges that in a country overrun by violence, xenophobia, and disparity, and in a body defined by race, queerness, and diagnosis, it can be hard to survive, even harder to remember reasons for living. But then the phone lights up, or a shout comes up to the window, and family--blood and chosen--arrives with just the right food and some redemption. Part friendship diary, part bright elegy, part war cry, Homie is the exuberant new book written for Danez and for Danez's friends and for you and for yours."--

My president -- Niggas! -- How many of us have them? -- Jumped! -- Saw a video of a gang of bees swarming a hornet who killed their bee-homie so I called to say I love you -- Fall poem -- Rose -- I'm going back to Minnesota where sadness makes sense -- Flower who bloomed thru the fence in grandmama's yard -- In lieu of a poem, I'd like to say -- Dogs! -- Ode to gold teeth -- On faggotness -- Self-portrait as '90's R&B video -- My bitch! -- Sometimes I wish I felt the side effects -- Say it with your whole black mouth -- Shout out to my niggas in Mexico -- White niggas -- What was said at the bus stop -- I didn't like you when I met you -- For Andrew -- 1989-2016 -- Depression food -- Undetectable -- All the good dick lives in Brooklyn Park -- Broke n rice -- C.R.E.A.M. -- Old confession & new -- Gay cancer -- Happy hour -- Waiting on you to die so I can be myself -- Fat one with the switch -- My poems -- Trees! -- My nig