When the Smoke Learns my Name Hardcover – Large Print, February 28, 2026

A journey through fire, faith, and becoming.When the Smoke Learns My Name is a fearless poetry collection by Malik Hooker, written during a season where every line became food for his spirit. These poems were the sustenance that kept him moving through heartbreak, confusion, memory, and rebirth. They reveal a man fighting to understand himself, and choosing to rise from what tried to bury him.These poems are the ash-covered footprints of someone who refused to disappear in his own burning. Each page stops time long enough to let truth breathe, to let grief be held, and to let survival speak with clarity.Malik writes with a voice shaped by struggle and strengthened by faith. His reflections invite readers into the quiet battles that happen behind closed doors, the healing that comes slowly, and the strength that grows when nothing feels certain. This collection is a reminder that even the hardest seasons can feed us if we are willing to face them.This poetry book is for anyone who has ever stood in the ruins of their past and decided to rebuild. It speaks to resilience, self-discovery, emotional honesty, and the courage to begin again.If you have ever had to rise from your own ashes, these poems will meet you there. Read more