New poetry collection shows the raw and real side of new motherhood

“Following the extra workload that women have had to take on this past year, there is a real sense of needing to voice our feelings and experiences, to vent, and to be understood,” says Emily Way-Evans, associate editor of a new poetry book. “This anthology provides an honest window into motherhood.”

Complied during the pandemic by a community of poetry-writing mums, a new anthology features mothers writing about their personal experiences.

With first-time writers published alongside established poets, Songs of Love and Strength is The Mum Poem Press‘ first anthology, having produced three zines already.

Run by Emma Daykene, who lives in Knowle, and Katherine Perry, who lives in London, the Press is an extension of the Mum Poem Club, a writing group formed during the pandemic to help mothers use writing as a form of self-care. There are now more than 500 members.

The pair, who have yet to meet in real life, also run open mic nights, poetry workshops and competitions.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CN-A34KlvQw/

Featuring 100 poems, Katherine and Emma hope that by releasing their first anthology, they can raise awareness of the many different, and often overlooked, facets and complexities of motherhood.

“There are poems in this anthology on subjects we don’t see often enough in poetry but which speak of some of the most profound human experiences; pregnancy, birth, new life and loss,” says Katherine. “The poets in this collection explore the extraordinary experience of motherhood from all angles with grace, humour and beauty.”

Emma has been using her skills as a graphic designer to help bring Songs of Love and Strength to life, saying: “I became a sort of midwife, helping to birth the zines and book.”

The collection features poems about the pain of infertility and miscarriage, the realities of giving birth, the shock of the fourth trimester, loss of identity and boredom.

It also touches on everything from the smell of babies’ heads and tiny fingers to sleep deprivation and becoming a grandparent.

Six of the poets featured in the debut are from Bristol. Bethany-Rose Oakley pens Overripe, Lowri Ann from Bedminster has written Night Feed and Rachel Dickens from Totterdown’s poem is called Bitter Taste.

Six poets live in Bristol, coming from Totterdown, Bedminster and Knowle. Photo: Joshua Perrett

Three poets live in Knowle. Emily Way-Evans is associate editor of the anthology and her poem is called Her Strength, Nicola Dellard-Lyle has written The Flight and Mum Poem Press founder Emma has penned Loads of Love.

The anthology is being published during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, with profits from sales being donated to the UK maternal mental health charity PANDAS Foundation.

“To me, the Mum Poem Press is as essential to parents as nipple balm, daytime naps (theirs or ours) and a nice hot bath every now and then,” says Emma, ahead of Songs of Love and Strength‘s publication. “All I can say is thank you.”

Main photo: The Mum Poem Press

Read more: Born in Lockdown – raw, honest and inspiring accounts of new motherhood