Glory, Too: Poems

Winner of the Coretta Scott King Award, and New York Times bestselling author Nikki Grimes introduces Glory, Too, a soul-stirring collection of poetry that delves into the depths of faith, hope, and the human experience by one of America’s preeminent black poets.

In a marriage of poetry, faith, and worship, Ms. Grimes’ poems illuminate the Scriptures that grace every Sunday of the year. Her inimitable voice and imagination offer glimpses of glory we might not otherwise see, throughout the seasons of the year.

With lyrical precision and spiritual insight, she invites readers on a journey of reflection, weaving together themes of grace, redemption, and the enduring power of God’s love throughout the year.

As the companion volume to her previous book Glory in the Margins: Sunday Poems, Glory, Too resonates with authenticity and depth, giving testimony to the transformative power of poetry and the enduring hope found in the embrace of God’s eternal grace.

High Style

Louboutin stilettos

are recognizable at a distance.

Those shiny red soles

tell you everything.

When Gucci handbags

are in a room,

they virtually shout.

Now, I’m not much for labels,

but I’ve noticed how

God’s garments stand out.

Take the suit, a second skin

made of holiness--a rare fabric,

that usually itches, at first

until the wearer

gets used to it;

Beyond that,

God’s personal style

is all about the layered look:

the silk of compassion,

golden threads of kindness

woven through the vest,

humility cinching in the waist,
meekness and patience

falling to the ankles,

and love thickly draped

across the shoulders.

The clothing God designs

is never mistaken

for anyone’s but his.

And when we’re wise enough

to don his attire,

we look like more

than a million.

New York Times bestselling poet Nikki Grimes received the 2020 ALAN Award for outstanding contributions to young adult literature. Author of over 75 books, her distinguished works include the modern classic Bronx Masquerade, award-winning verse novel Dark Sons on the life of Ishmael, memoir in verse Ordinary Hazards winner of the Printz Honor, Siebert Honor, and Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, the acclaimed Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance, and NYT bestseller Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice. Creator of ALA Notable Poetry Book Come Sunday, At Jerusalem’s Gate, and Voices of Christmas, Grimes has been featured in the pages of IMAGE Journal of Arts and Religion, World, Today’s Christian Woman, Poetry Magazine, Hunger Mountain, and on the Academy of American Poets series, Poem a Day, among others. Once nominated for the Pushkin, her poetry can be found in numerous collections including The Golden Shovel Anthology. Ms. Grimes lives in Corona, California.