“I want to give you the kind of love that’ll make even the gods cry”

When No One Is Watching is a collection of poems by Linathi Makanda that tell a story of love, passion, loneliness, trauma, and empowerment. Lots of the reviews and promotions compare Makanda’s work to that of Rupi Kaur, and while their poetic styles are similar, there is something about this collection that drew me in, taking me on an emotional journey through every twist and turn.

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Unlike many poetry collections, there is an overarching narrative that connects the poems, telling an incredibly personal story that grabs you by the heartstrings. The book is divided into four sections: Love Rising, Love Lost, Internal Uprising, and Hope Rising. In Love Rising we are drawn in by a passion that is both uniquely personal and universal at the same time. In Love Lost we feel heartbreak, both our own and Makanda’s as we get a glimpse into the past. Internal Uprising opens our eyes to the trauma of sexual assault, and how it impacts every relationship – of every kind – that someone has in their life. Finally, in Hope Rising, we not only see the poet make an active choice to respect and prioritise herself, but she gives the reader a space to do so too.

I’m not being hyperbolic when I say I don’t think I’ve ever been so affected by a collection of poetry this much. Makanda has an incredible talent with words, crafting them with such care but also such apparent ease. Her voice was so assured while still conveying an intense vulnerability, yet she still found a way to give a voice to not only the reader but to generations of silenced women. However, it is the power of the individual that is at the centre of Makanda’s message, and more specifically, the power we have over our own lives and our own individuality.

Within a few pages I knew I was fully committed on this poetic journey, and by the final chapter I felt like I trusted the poet implicitly. There were times when I wanted to cry, and times when I wanted to punch the air with joy and pride. I immediately wanted to go out and buy a copy for every single person I know, to force them to sit down and read it so they could go on this reading experience with me. This is definitely a collection I will be returning to time and time again and I highly recommend you pick it up.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.