In this extraordinary collection, the award-winning poet Crystal Simone Smith gives voice to the mournful dead, their lives unjustly lost to violence, and to the grieving chorus of protestors in today’s Black Lives Matter movement, in search of resilience and hope. With poems found within the text of George Saunders's Lincoln in the Bardo, Crystal Simone Smith embarks on an uncompromising exploration of collective mourning and crafts a masterwork that resonates far beyond the page. These poems are visually stark, a gathering of gripping verses that unmasks a dialogue of tragic truths—the stories of lives taken unjustly and too soon. Bold and deeply affecting, Dark Testament is a remarkable reckoning with our present moment, a call to action, and a plea for a more just future. Along with the poems, Dark Testament includes a stirring introduction by the author that speaks to the content of the poetry, a Q&A with George Saunders, and a full-color photo-insert that commemorates victims of unlawful killings with photographs of memorials that have been created in their honor.

No justice, no peace --Oscar Grant -- Eric Garner -- Black mothers and sons -- Trayvon Martin -- Sybrina Fulton -- #BLM -- Michael Brown -- Jordan Davis -- The world and me -- Michelle Kenney & (Antwon Rose II) -- Daunte Wright -- Justified homicide -- Aiyana Jones, age 7 -- Laquan McDonald -- White witnesses -- Black witness -- Rodney King -- Civil Obedience -- Sandra Bland -- Jayland Walker -- Mr. Politician -- In memoriam -- The dilemma we all live with -- Ahmaud Arbery -- George Floyd -- Protest song -- Curfew hour -- Walter Scott -- Andrew Brown, Jr. -- The bloodshed -- Samuel Dubose -- Sean Bell -- Dear Mr. Legislator -- Philando Castile -- Levar Jones -- Breonna Taylor -- Hereafter -- Stephon Clark -- Freddie Gray -- Samaria Rice & (Tamir Rice) -- Elijah McClain -- Generations (An Elegy) -- Botham Jean -- All our sins -- In conversation: George Saunders and Crystal Simone Smith.