Columbus residents will have the opportunity to hear local poet Schyler Butler read from her debut collection, Phantom Hue, at two community venues this week. The first launch event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12, at Prologue Bookshop, followed by a second reading at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Streetlight Guild, according to Matter News.
Butler’s poems delve into difficult subjects, including generational trauma, her complex relationship with her parents, and the lingering emotional bruises that follow physical wounds. In the collection’s opening poem, “Like Pontius Pilate washing his hands,” she writes about the temptation to “tiptoe around such a memory” rather than confront it directly. Throughout the book, she examines the impact of racism she observed upon returning to Columbus after college, noting the stark contrast between neighborhoods such as Linden and Victorian Village.
“So many of these poems took so many drafts to get down,” Butler told Matter News. “In the second draft, third draft, it’s just pure emotion… I realized the message gets lost if the poem is being led by pure emotion.” She explained that the writing process required a “step back” to balance anger with forgiveness, allowing her to make peace with personal experiences.
The collection also reflects Butler’s partnership with fellow poet Akhim Yuseff Cabey, whose own verses explore similar terrain. Together they recognized shared stories of dating white partners and navigating predominantly white social circles, prompting Butler to write about those dynamics. One poem, “Intersectional Guillotine,” confronts the historical trauma of her great‑great‑grandmother’s rape by a white man, questioning how that violence reverberates through her own bloodline.
Butler’s work moves from early reflections on how race is introduced to children in the poem “Amongst Children” to a hopeful closing piece, “Star‑Crossed Daughter at 23 Months,” in which she envisions her infant child standing “surefooted” against the world’s ills. The poet credits early literary influences such as Rita Dove, Natasha Trethewey, and Tiana Clark for shaping her love of poetry, but emphasizes that stripping away “pretty words” allowed her authentic voice to emerge.
Residents interested in supporting independent local arts and hearing a candid exploration of Columbus‑rooted experiences are encouraged to attend either reading. Both venues are free and open to the public.
What’s next: The Prologue Bookshop launch takes place Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Streetlight Guild event Saturday, Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. Attendees can purchase copies of Phantom Hue after the readings.
Sources: matternews.org
