In "Ordinary Beast," Nicole Sealey crafts a debut collection that is nothing short of a revelation, navigating the intricacies of existence with a deft hand and a keen eye. Born in the Virgin Islands and raised in Florida, Sealey brings a unique lens to the exploration of what it means to be human, merging the personal with the universal in ways that are both intimate and expansive. Through her poems, she delves into the depths of human emotion, intellect, and experience, wielding her words with the precision of a philosopher and the heart of a poet. Sealey's work is a testament to the power of poetry to challenge, to illuminate, and to transform, inviting readers to engage with the world in ways they never thought possible. With a range that encompasses the philosophical to the experiential, "Ordinary Beast" is a journey through the varied landscapes of the human condition. Sealey's voice is one of rare clarity and profound insight, capable of leaping from the meditative to the concrete with seamless grace. Her poems are a dance of contradictions, at once playful and serious, light and profound, speaking to the dualities that define our lives. Whether confronting the realities of race, gender, sexuality, or the endless facets of personal identity, Sealey does so with an unflinching gaze and a sharp wit. This collection is an extraordinary beast indeed—ordinary in its exploration of everyday life, but extraordinary in its execution, its beauty, and its power to move and inspire.