Bold, bodied, and bristling with emotion, Heidi Lewis’s poetry crosses the boundaries between man and woman, friction and peace, fear and faith, and the past and future. Her debut collection, Can I Rest Awhile?, is an embodiment of her being–it is a window into her childhood, a taste of womanhood, a hand in her relationships, a torch to her fears and furies, and a path for her hopes. Most importantly, it is a prayer and praise to the Almighty God, who made her unique and authentic in her personhood.

In addition to being a collection of intense personal and spiritual discovery, Can I Rest Awhile? is also vibrant commentary on social change, especially of recent events involving civil and human rights, feminism, police brutality, domestic violence, and equality. These pages are relevant today and will continue to resound for years to come.