I’m excited and thrilled to announce that my debut poetry collection, Time Cleaves Itself, was published by Peepal Tree Press in July 2024!
Time Cleaves Itself invites you into the split and rewoven threads of a disabled Scottish woman of colour’s intersecting, in between worlds as she navigates belonging and claiming space.
Landscapes and bodyscapes are brought into focus through lenses of race, illness, disability and womanhood.
Here lyrical acts of observation unfold with defiance, tenderness, rhythm and the occasional side-eye. The accordion of time stretches across poems that deliver a sonic meditation on memory, grief, disability, belonging and resilience.
Published by Peepal Tree Press.
Reviews of Time Cleaves Itself
“The bounding, intelligent wondrousness of Time Cleaves Itself challenges readers who may have despaired about where song belongs in challenging times. With the appetite and exactitude we would expect more of ancient poets than nowadays, Jeda Pearl traces ammonite patterns, praises scientific endeavours, speaks from dance floor and hospital bed – no narrow thing. Perspectives click. Pearl’s speakers freely observe their observers, and move on. Swimming and flying creatures, the kestrel in the chest, the selkie self, duppies and hummingbirds: what world is this collection from from? These poems inhabit and unlock the famed energy of both Scots and Caribbean literary heritage, knowing them intertwined of old. I’m overjoyed to see poetry’s future in Jeda Pearl’s work.” – Anthony (Vahni) Capildeo
Gutter Book of the Month (June 2024)
“Jeda Pearl’s poetry is profound and demands attention. It encourages introspection on identity, disability, race, and colonialism. It draws inspiration from nature and science, sparking curiosity and tenderness while challenging our perceptions. Time Cleaves Itself is a lyrical, visceral, and vivid collection recommended for readers who appreciate timeless, rich, and rhythmic poetry. Unsurprisingly, Jeda Pearl’s unique voice and perspective are indispensable in the contemporary poetry landscape of Scotland and the UK.” – Etzali Hernández
Time Cleaves Itself book launch events
4th July, Peepal Tree Press – recording.
23rd July 2024, Lighthouse Bookshop – recording.
The incredible artwork and cover design was created by Kezia Lewis. Kezia is a Scottish Jamaican artist, designer and facilitator. She incorporates collage, painting and illustrative techniques in her work, playing intuitively with colour and form.
Kezia really captured the spirit of this book with her beautiful artwork. She also happens to be one of my siblings so knows me well! Seeing the cover art come together was a really interesting process – we may share some behind the scenes in future. Not only do I love the colours, but also textures, shapes and lines, what the scene evokes and the ways you can interpret it…!
I’ll share more about my journey with this book in the coming months. I can’t quite believe I will soon have an actual book of my poems in libraries and bookshops!
If you have the funds (£10.99), you can pre-order on the link below. Peepal Tree Press have a great back-catalogue of fiction, prose and poetry from Caribbean authors and Black British authors, plus they’ve just joined forces with HopeRoad Publishing, so check out their other books too…
