Christi Warner explores identity in new poetry collection

Namibian poet and author Christi Warner has officially released her latest poetry collection, Citizen Within, a deeply personal work that explores migration, dual identity, grief and belonging while celebrating the enduring connection between Namibia and the diaspora.

Published under her own imprint, Sash Books, the collection draws on Warner's experiences of growing up in Windhoek and Oranjemund before relocating to the United Kingdom, where she now lives with her family.

She explained that Citizen Within started as a personal creative refuge whenever self-doubt interrupted her novel writing.

However, after the passing of her brother in 2025, the collection took on a much deeper purpose.

"The poems became a lifeline. They helped me navigate grief, distance, and the ache of being far from the soil that raised me."

Warner said the title reflects the idea that belonging is not defined by geography, but by what people carry within themselves.

"Home is a verb. It's the sovereign space inside you where memory, identity, and loss coexist."

Although many of the poems were written in England, Namibia remains ever-present throughout the collection. Warner said the country's landscapes, cultures and traditions naturally found their way onto every page.

"Namibia is the heartbeat of the collection."

Freedom to publish

She added that memories of "ochre dunes, quiver trees, Kapana smoke" and Namibia's languages, food and traditions continue to shape her writing, regardless of where she lives.

Warner also spoke about establishing Sash Books, saying she wanted the freedom to publish stories that may otherwise struggle to find space through traditional publishing.

"Traditional publishing often keeps diaspora stories at the margins, and I didn't want to wait for permission to speak."

She hopes the imprint will eventually provide opportunities for other Namibian and diaspora writers to share their stories with a wider audience.

Reflecting on the challenges of independent publishing, Warner admitted the journey has not always been easy, particularly when it comes to distribution and marketing.

Despite this, she said the experience taught her an important lesson.

"The biggest lesson was this: independence is not isolation... We never climb alone."

Looking ahead, Warner revealed she is already working on a children's book and her first novel, while continuing to grow Sash Books into a platform that amplifies Namibian voices.

Above all, she hopes Citizen Within reminds readers that home is something no distance can erase.

"Our stories are not small. Our voices matter."

She hopes every reader closes the book remembering one simple truth:

"I know myself. I do matter. I am enough."