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Mother's Milk: Poems in Search of Heavenly Mother
In this stunning new collection of poems, Rachel Hunt Steenblik ( Mormon Essential Writings ) explores the deep, human longing for a divine mother to complement the male God that has long dominated our culture. Lovingly illustrated by Ashley Mae Hoiland ( One Hundred Birds Taught Me to Fly ). Praise for Mother's Milk “In these brief and moving poems, Rachel Hunt Steenblik recalls and reimagines the relationship between the daughters of God and their hidden and distant mother. Using her own experience and revelation as well as her wide research, Rachel recreates the Heavenly Mother many dream of knowing, a woman not unlike our own mothers, one who shares our own experience of motherhood.” —Claudia L. Bushman, author of Contemporary Mormonism "The warm, delicious, delicate and strong poems in Mother’s Milk moved and delighted me. Without doubt this book is a major step toward filling the Mother-sized hole in our hearts. Boldly pulling back the curtain of patriarchy to show that “God” is not a boy’s name and that we have never lived in a one-parent family, Rachel reminds us that our Mother has never ceased to nourish and love us." —Carol Lynn Pearson, author of Mother Wove the Morning , and The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy “Rachel Hunt Steenblik is Mormonism's most essential and necessary poet since Carol Lynn Pearson. Out of her hunger for a mother God, she has made food for us all. Out of her losses, she has made milk. It's what women's bodies know how to do, of course. But Rachel, oh honey, few of us do it so openly, so truthfully, so plainly, so well. Come, come, everyone—Mormon or not, brothers, sisters, kindred—and take these words. I am so proud that this book will teach the world what Mormon women know—perhaps uniquely—about God."—Joanna Brooks, author of Book of Mormon Girl.
190 pages, Paperback
Published July 21, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews
March 21, 2021
This book had my whole heart.
August 9, 2017
This collection of poems is meditative, piercing, poignant, wonderful, lovely. I love poetry for its ability to say so much with so little—to act as a springboard or starting point for introspection and exploring one's own feelings. This book of "poems in search of Heavenly Mother" does just that with the merest of suggestions and musings, coming from Rachel's experiences and stories, and those of others around her. The reframing of familiar scriptural language, the imagery of mothers and mothering, and the patterns in nature and the natural world—all of these things are subtle but remarkable evidences of a Mother in heaven. I loved the Notes section at the end: as suggested further reading, and representing the diversity of Rachel's inspirations (familiar children's books, well-known Bible verses, comments from friends, published works from several centuries, and more). The existence of a Heavenly Mother is one of my favorite aspects of Mormon theology and I hope this book resounds so deeply with others as it did with me.
"The Very Hairs of Your Head
The Mother is forever brushing
Her child's hair behind her ears."
"The Very Hairs of Your Head
The Mother is forever brushing
Her child's hair behind her ears."
Read
January 9, 2018There were several of these (*very*) short poems I really enjoyed, themes and ideas that very much resonated with me. However I think mothers of young children (infants and toddlers) will relate to this book much more than I did. I became a mother when my kids were 6 and 8, and adopted my own mother figures when I was in my twenties. I am not and will not be a biological mother, and have zero relationship with my own biological mother. Am I an outlier, yes. But am I completely unique in my "other" mothering? No. "Other" mothering relationships aren't really shown here, but there are many poems about mothering very small children, and how that relationship is so similar to a Divine Feminine nurturing and mothering us.
December 6, 2020
Conceptually brilliant, executed fairly. I've read occasional pages throughout the years, but this was my first reading cover to cover. My two main critiques would be excessive borrowed content, and over-comparing to stereotypical relationships of earthly mother/daughters that felt hard to connect with.
My friend Dan once told me, "A lot of times girls think they need Heavenly Mother because they are women. But we need Her too. I need my Mother too."
My friend Dan once told me, "A lot of times girls think they need Heavenly Mother because they are women. But we need Her too. I need my Mother too."
May 24, 2022
Didn't work for me poetically, emotionally, or theologically.
To be fair, I am a relatively high consumer of poetry so my standard is probably higher than the target audience (i.e. I'm a poetry snob), and poetically, these are more like tweets. They are also unoriginally derivative (the overall idea is original, and all poetry is ALWAYS derivative, but the execution needed work). As a result it felt a little stunted. The author would present an idea but rarely (never?) develop it in a personal or philosophical way. To me, the ideas looked like more of an outline or brainstorm session for rich ideas that were nipped in the bud; I appreciated the exploration, but this was a disappointing read.
If you would like to explore more spiritual poetry, though not overtly feminist, I highly recommend Mary Oliver.
If you are looking for specifically Christian - Feminist poems, here are a few I recommend:
"Redeeming Mother" by Rebecca Thomas Ankeny
"Redeliverance" by Bethany Lee
"The Last Stone" by Marie Thearose
To be fair, I am a relatively high consumer of poetry so my standard is probably higher than the target audience (i.e. I'm a poetry snob), and poetically, these are more like tweets. They are also unoriginally derivative (the overall idea is original, and all poetry is ALWAYS derivative, but the execution needed work). As a result it felt a little stunted. The author would present an idea but rarely (never?) develop it in a personal or philosophical way. To me, the ideas looked like more of an outline or brainstorm session for rich ideas that were nipped in the bud; I appreciated the exploration, but this was a disappointing read.
If you would like to explore more spiritual poetry, though not overtly feminist, I highly recommend Mary Oliver.
If you are looking for specifically Christian - Feminist poems, here are a few I recommend:
"Redeeming Mother" by Rebecca Thomas Ankeny
"Redeliverance" by Bethany Lee
"The Last Stone" by Marie Thearose
September 5, 2017
I jumped to purchase this little book of poetry and I truly thought I would love it. I read the first section and really resoanted with the personal connection we crave and need for a nurturing mother. As a mother of four who has nursed and snuggled my own children closely these past 12 years I could deeply relate to our need for a loving mother. I know this is true about my need for my own mother.
But as I read further, the poems started to change, falling short of originality and purpose. Scriptures were altered. Songs altered. Doctrine changed. It did not sit well with me. In fact, several nights I couldn't sleep, feeling unsettled in my gut over this little book I bought.
I imagine our sacred Heavenly Mother as a divinity so sacred, so humble, and so innately beautiful that She doesn't want or need to be glorified or spotlighted the way we'd think She does. She is in sync with the Father and the Son, working together to carry out the plans for the world, not to fulfill someone's personal agenda or opinion of who She should be.
Once I donated this book I felt peace in my heart again.
But as I read further, the poems started to change, falling short of originality and purpose. Scriptures were altered. Songs altered. Doctrine changed. It did not sit well with me. In fact, several nights I couldn't sleep, feeling unsettled in my gut over this little book I bought.
I imagine our sacred Heavenly Mother as a divinity so sacred, so humble, and so innately beautiful that She doesn't want or need to be glorified or spotlighted the way we'd think She does. She is in sync with the Father and the Son, working together to carry out the plans for the world, not to fulfill someone's personal agenda or opinion of who She should be.
Once I donated this book I felt peace in my heart again.
May 16, 2018
The belief in a feminine divine has long been one of my deepest spiritual hopes. If a Father in Heaven, then certainly a Mother too. I can only believe in one if I can hope for both.
This collections of poems about the feminine divine was written shortly after Rachel Hung Steenblik gave birth, which means it draws heavy inspiration from the roles of child bearing and nursing as sources of closeness to Heavenly Mother. As my life has not included child bearing, my closeness to Her isn't based on those experiences. But like Steenblik says in the introduction, "These are the poems that I could write with my questions, my hurt, my hope, and my reaching. Others could write other poems with theirs. I hope that they will. We need them all."
I agree. We need them all; images of and yearnings for Heavenly Mother as diverse as Her daughters.
"Mirror Image • It is difficult to say now if She was created in my image, or I in Hers. What is easy to say now is when I look inside a mirror, I see God."
This collections of poems about the feminine divine was written shortly after Rachel Hung Steenblik gave birth, which means it draws heavy inspiration from the roles of child bearing and nursing as sources of closeness to Heavenly Mother. As my life has not included child bearing, my closeness to Her isn't based on those experiences. But like Steenblik says in the introduction, "These are the poems that I could write with my questions, my hurt, my hope, and my reaching. Others could write other poems with theirs. I hope that they will. We need them all."
I agree. We need them all; images of and yearnings for Heavenly Mother as diverse as Her daughters.
"Mirror Image • It is difficult to say now if She was created in my image, or I in Hers. What is easy to say now is when I look inside a mirror, I see God."
July 30, 2018
These poems were beautiful, delicate and thought-provoking.
March 6, 2023
This was very thought provoking and moving. I think it addressed an ache that most women have (even if they don’t realize it) for a female deity to comfort us from time to time. It was really beautiful to feel the ache acknowledged and understood, but then to feel the peace and reassurance that we do have a Mother if we look for Her.
August 25, 2017
MOTHER'S MILK
Rachel Hunt Steenblik+Ashley Mae Hoiland
A beautiful, poignant collection of poems. Frequently brought tears to my eyes with its longing and reaching for Heavenly Mother and the divine feminine. There's a personal and intimate connection with the divine present here that may not always be what my connection is or hopes to be, but is unabashedly Rachel's, modeling one path to strive towards the divine feminine. Ashmae's illustrations are a perfect accompaniment for Rachel's poetry—close, intimate, personal, and snuggly (you can almost cuddle up with them). The poems are brief snapshots, capturing moments and reworking familiar phrases, narratives, verses, ideas to include or focus on Heavenly Mother. I'm left hungry for more. I want to create & find my own connection to Heavenly Mother, to write my way there. Rachel gave me a delicious taste of that possibility here.
Rachel Hunt Steenblik+Ashley Mae Hoiland
A beautiful, poignant collection of poems. Frequently brought tears to my eyes with its longing and reaching for Heavenly Mother and the divine feminine. There's a personal and intimate connection with the divine present here that may not always be what my connection is or hopes to be, but is unabashedly Rachel's, modeling one path to strive towards the divine feminine. Ashmae's illustrations are a perfect accompaniment for Rachel's poetry—close, intimate, personal, and snuggly (you can almost cuddle up with them). The poems are brief snapshots, capturing moments and reworking familiar phrases, narratives, verses, ideas to include or focus on Heavenly Mother. I'm left hungry for more. I want to create & find my own connection to Heavenly Mother, to write my way there. Rachel gave me a delicious taste of that possibility here.
January 17, 2019
I read this while in the process of weaning my baby, which made some of the poems even more hard hitting. It has been a long time since I’ve read a collection of poems, and I loved how much meaning was packed into so few words (but also how much room was still left for me to fill in my own perspective). I read this all in one sitting and I will definitely go back for a closer reading in the future.
October 5, 2017
some lovely original thoughts-however, also a lot of switching father/man to mother/woman from other writings which felt repetitive, boring & even a bit plagiaristic after awhile...
February 2, 2020
I'm not sure I'll be able to express my thoughts on this book very well, but I'll try.
Many of the poems really spoke to me. Many gave me pause for thought. Some I didn't understand. And some made me feel sad because it's how I wish we talked about Heavenly Mother but we never do. Multiple of the verses were turning the scriptures or hymns etc. to be about Heavenly Mother, and it's an interesting thing to think about why we aren't able or encouraged to have that same relationship with her as with Heavenly Father. But it’s not filled with bitterness—it’s more like longing. Longing for that feminine divinity that is such a beautiful and distinctive part of our LDS doctrine—but is so rarely talked about and explored.
What I loved about this book was an aspect of feminism that sometimes gets thrown under the bus, but that I think is sacred. It was actually celebrating our divine differences as women (not trying to eliminate all differences between the sexes). That we are daughters of Heavenly Mother, made in her image. It was such a powerful moment for me when they changed the Young Women’s theme to add in Heavenly Mother. I truly think knowing that God is not just a man could make all the difference in women believing in our divinity and strength and power. I honestly felt the sacredness of my role as woman and mother more after reading this book and pondering my Heavenly Mother.
I didn’t get or connect with all the poems. That’s the nature of poetry really. But some actually made me weep and many made me ponder. I think it perhaps resonated so strongly right now because I'm in the stage of life of giving birth and raising my small children, and this collection explores knowing Heavenly Mother through these sort of experiences.
A few favorites:
POSTPARTUM
After creation,
the Mother knew
sorrow—the emptiness
that comes after fullness,
the softness that remains
for a long time
LIFE LESSON
One of the first things
we must learn on earth
is how to sleep
without our Mother
THE GREAT SHE IS
She is the God of
Sarah, Rebecca,
And Rachel.
She covenants with
her daughters.
WHAT JOSEPH TAUGHT ME
If women do not comprehend
the character of God the Mother,
they do not comprehend themselves.
EARS TO HEAR, II
The Mother can distinguish
Her daughter’s cries:
hunger, fatigue, leave me be,
Loneliness, boredom, anger,
sorrow, uncleanliness.
She attends each one.
VEIL
When my daughter cried
for me as I showered,
I gave her soft words.
I’m right here.
I’m just on the other side
of the curtain.
And suddenly,
I knew my Mother
was.
Many of the poems really spoke to me. Many gave me pause for thought. Some I didn't understand. And some made me feel sad because it's how I wish we talked about Heavenly Mother but we never do. Multiple of the verses were turning the scriptures or hymns etc. to be about Heavenly Mother, and it's an interesting thing to think about why we aren't able or encouraged to have that same relationship with her as with Heavenly Father. But it’s not filled with bitterness—it’s more like longing. Longing for that feminine divinity that is such a beautiful and distinctive part of our LDS doctrine—but is so rarely talked about and explored.
What I loved about this book was an aspect of feminism that sometimes gets thrown under the bus, but that I think is sacred. It was actually celebrating our divine differences as women (not trying to eliminate all differences between the sexes). That we are daughters of Heavenly Mother, made in her image. It was such a powerful moment for me when they changed the Young Women’s theme to add in Heavenly Mother. I truly think knowing that God is not just a man could make all the difference in women believing in our divinity and strength and power. I honestly felt the sacredness of my role as woman and mother more after reading this book and pondering my Heavenly Mother.
I didn’t get or connect with all the poems. That’s the nature of poetry really. But some actually made me weep and many made me ponder. I think it perhaps resonated so strongly right now because I'm in the stage of life of giving birth and raising my small children, and this collection explores knowing Heavenly Mother through these sort of experiences.
A few favorites:
POSTPARTUM
After creation,
the Mother knew
sorrow—the emptiness
that comes after fullness,
the softness that remains
for a long time
LIFE LESSON
One of the first things
we must learn on earth
is how to sleep
without our Mother
THE GREAT SHE IS
She is the God of
Sarah, Rebecca,
And Rachel.
She covenants with
her daughters.
WHAT JOSEPH TAUGHT ME
If women do not comprehend
the character of God the Mother,
they do not comprehend themselves.
EARS TO HEAR, II
The Mother can distinguish
Her daughter’s cries:
hunger, fatigue, leave me be,
Loneliness, boredom, anger,
sorrow, uncleanliness.
She attends each one.
VEIL
When my daughter cried
for me as I showered,
I gave her soft words.
I’m right here.
I’m just on the other side
of the curtain.
And suddenly,
I knew my Mother
was.
September 4, 2019
A lovely collection. A few favorites:
THE CHILD
She can sleep
without her Mother,
but she doesn't want to.
HOLES
Desiree was born
with a hole in her heart,
the size of an eye.
My heart has a hole,
the size of my Mother.
HOME
She is what I mean,
when I say, I want
to go home.
HER WORK AND GLORY
The work and glory
of the Mother
is to bring to pass the
immortality and
eternal life of
Her children.
The work and glory
of the Mother
is to love.
WHAT THE MOTHER TAUGHT ME
Creation is
more than
procreation.
It is snow, birds,
trees, moon,
and song.
THE DWELLING
Her body is
still my home.
I fall asleep,
on Her mountain
chest.
THE CHILD
She can sleep
without her Mother,
but she doesn't want to.
HOLES
Desiree was born
with a hole in her heart,
the size of an eye.
My heart has a hole,
the size of my Mother.
HOME
She is what I mean,
when I say, I want
to go home.
HER WORK AND GLORY
The work and glory
of the Mother
is to bring to pass the
immortality and
eternal life of
Her children.
The work and glory
of the Mother
is to love.
WHAT THE MOTHER TAUGHT ME
Creation is
more than
procreation.
It is snow, birds,
trees, moon,
and song.
THE DWELLING
Her body is
still my home.
I fall asleep,
on Her mountain
chest.
Read
March 31, 2022"The truth is, I can't stop
searching for my Mother.
The truth is, I don't know if
She wants to be found. But
something big and tiny in
my heart tells me that She
does--that She too, like
Her children, wants
to be seen."
Several poems are repurposed text from scriptures and other writers and to see Heavenly Mother inserted into those places felt good and true and right. Some were more personal and were born out of the author's relationship to her children. Others dragged or seemed too borrowed, but overall I appreciate this collection. I cried and I smiled.
She cites all her sources and inspiration so I'm inspired to do a lot of further reading!
searching for my Mother.
The truth is, I don't know if
She wants to be found. But
something big and tiny in
my heart tells me that She
does--that She too, like
Her children, wants
to be seen."
Several poems are repurposed text from scriptures and other writers and to see Heavenly Mother inserted into those places felt good and true and right. Some were more personal and were born out of the author's relationship to her children. Others dragged or seemed too borrowed, but overall I appreciate this collection. I cried and I smiled.
She cites all her sources and inspiration so I'm inspired to do a lot of further reading!
January 18, 2020
I personally think that records of female deity have been erased in a man’s world, but I really hope & feel that she’s there and needs to be acknowledged. So much mention of her in these poems made me emotional and I felt my heart healing. The scriptural references altered to include female pronouns/titles felt familiar, comfortable, and right to me. Not all poems resonated with me as much as others, but this will be personal for every reader. I think writing like is important to me to help shift my spiritual thinking from solely patriarchal.
January 31, 2020
Sometimes you stay up way past your bedtime reading delightful poetry because it’s the only thing to bring comfort at the moment. I definitely shed some tears with this one.
I have some pretty personal thoughts about this book, probably too personal for a Goodreads review. So! If you want to borrow this book, it’s all yours. Then let’s go to lunch and talk about it over Diet Coke.
I have some pretty personal thoughts about this book, probably too personal for a Goodreads review. So! If you want to borrow this book, it’s all yours. Then let’s go to lunch and talk about it over Diet Coke.
September 21, 2018
A beautiful, difficult read for me.
October 13, 2017
Rachel Hunt Steenblik has stepped into a great Mormon spiritual-theological gap and filled it with a gentle, yet thunderous, sound. The tiny poems of Mother’s Milk reach into the cosmos to deliver a message about the nature of our spiritual-developmental origins as children of a Heavenly Mother. These poems occupy a distinguished place as a uniquely Mormon book of wisdom literature, and as such they map a path for our spiritual seeking that contains the guiding hope of one day healing the wounds of her absence.
The daughter seeks the Mother through childhood games, just as the child seeks the earthly mother: Peek-a-Boo, Marco Polo. Rachel casts the daughters and sons of Mormonism as the Lost Boys and Girls, wishing to see their Mother again, remembering Her....
to read the rest of this review, please go to the Exponent Blog here http://www.the-exponent.com/a-second-...
The daughter seeks the Mother through childhood games, just as the child seeks the earthly mother: Peek-a-Boo, Marco Polo. Rachel casts the daughters and sons of Mormonism as the Lost Boys and Girls, wishing to see their Mother again, remembering Her....
to read the rest of this review, please go to the Exponent Blog here http://www.the-exponent.com/a-second-...
October 5, 2018
A personal and emotional approach to the unique doctrine of Heavenly Mother. It is theology of the heart rather than the head. I recommend everyone read this book whether you accept the author’s comments in whole, in part, or not at all. It’s not always easy for me to read these books. I feel strongly about equality of men and women in the church. I feel strongly about expanding and seeking more understanding about the doctrine of heavenly mother. My friends are mostly progressives. I consider myself moderate to progressive. But I have felt betrayed by some Mormon feminists who seem more committed to their cause than to the body of Christ. That’s said, we never know the means God uses to move his work forward. So read it. If only to seek a greater understanding of your brothers and sisters.
September 2, 2017
This is a beautiful collection of poems that represents well the Latter-day Saint belief in a Heavenly Mother, as well as the innately human yearning to be loved, nurtured, and mothered by the Divine.
As with any collection of poems or art, I didn't love every single piece and some resonated with me much better than others. I had tears in my eyes many times and loved the experience of reading this book. I love that it exists.
One last thought: I love Ashley Mae Hoiland's art and felt that her illustrations were perfect for this book. Ashley is a good friend and a beautiful person, and knowing her and her art made my experience with this book even more lovely.
As with any collection of poems or art, I didn't love every single piece and some resonated with me much better than others. I had tears in my eyes many times and loved the experience of reading this book. I love that it exists.
One last thought: I love Ashley Mae Hoiland's art and felt that her illustrations were perfect for this book. Ashley is a good friend and a beautiful person, and knowing her and her art made my experience with this book even more lovely.
May 6, 2019
Of the many weird things about Mormonism (my religion), the taboo nature of Heavenly Mother ranks up there as one of the weirdest to me. So I really appreciated this effort to explore the concept, idea, doctrine, etc. of Heavenly Mother. I think it helps re-envision and familiarize what is mostly an undiscussed issue within the church, and I hope it serves as a step toward demystifying and more fully integrating the idea of a Heavenly Mother into our culture.
August 6, 2017
These poems, though tiny, are powerful, amplifying the voices of so many women, named and unnamed, who remind me that I am not alone. This synthesis of theology about Heavenly Mother and yearnings to know more about her is the book I have spent time in my closet crying for, when I asked in prayer, "Where is my Mother?"
May 23, 2018
I have a lot of mixed feelings and confused thoughts about the Mormon doctrine of Heavenly Mother. (Part of me likes the idea of a divine feminine. Part of me dislikes the reinscription of heterosexuality. It's all well-worn.) As such, I didn't relate to some of these poems, but some of them sucker punched my heart. I was definitely crying in the car over this book before work this morning.
August 2, 2017
The doctrine of Heavenly Mother is a beautiful part of Mormonism, but it lives in the shadows. Rachel Hunt Steenblik brings Heavenly Mother into the light with her poems that consider the multifaceted Goddess and Her relationship with Her children. I was deeply moved.
August 27, 2017
My only criticism is that I'd like to see the artwork in color.
In this book of poems I recognized my own aching to know the Mother in Heaven. I also found ways to discover her. I felt the power and truth of femininity and motherhood. I felt the Holy Ghost.
In this book of poems I recognized my own aching to know the Mother in Heaven. I also found ways to discover her. I felt the power and truth of femininity and motherhood. I felt the Holy Ghost.
August 31, 2017
Rachel seeks and finds and shares her Heavenly Mother.
I want my momma, too. ❤️
I want my momma, too. ❤️
January 18, 2019
I'm mentioned in this book. Automatic ten-star rating. Oh, yeah, the poems are beautiful, too. Simultaneously heart-warming and heart-wrenching (just like poetry should be).
January 24, 2022
3.5 stars. I’m grateful for the time and insights this book of poetry gave me to ponder on
Heavenly Mother. It stretched my understanding of possibilities and felt good. The author was a researcher for the BYU Studies article on Heavenly Mother and I’m glad that she transferred some of the knowledge gained in searching for Her in such a beautiful, accessible way. I also appreciated the notes at the end of the book where she tells of the people, scripture, songs, etc…that provided inspiration for each poem. She has inspired me to likewise seek for Her (“those that seek me early shall find me” Proverbs 8:17).
*If you enjoyed this book, I would recommend “Finding Mother God: Poems to Heal the World”
by Carol Lynn Pearson.
A few of my favorite poems from “Mother’s Milk”:
What Chieko Taught Me
The Mother’s face
is hidden from us,
because her arms
are around us.
(Our heads rest gently
on Her shoulder.)
A Fire is Burning
Sometimes the desire to feel
close to Her is its own warmth.
Sometimes it is enough.
I’ve a Mother There
Eliza knew it from reason.
I know it from a feeling
and a hope.
First Friend
When I was a spirit girl,
I lived with God.
I was Her companion,
and She mine.
Heavenly Mother. It stretched my understanding of possibilities and felt good. The author was a researcher for the BYU Studies article on Heavenly Mother and I’m glad that she transferred some of the knowledge gained in searching for Her in such a beautiful, accessible way. I also appreciated the notes at the end of the book where she tells of the people, scripture, songs, etc…that provided inspiration for each poem. She has inspired me to likewise seek for Her (“those that seek me early shall find me” Proverbs 8:17).
*If you enjoyed this book, I would recommend “Finding Mother God: Poems to Heal the World”
by Carol Lynn Pearson.
A few of my favorite poems from “Mother’s Milk”:
What Chieko Taught Me
The Mother’s face
is hidden from us,
because her arms
are around us.
(Our heads rest gently
on Her shoulder.)
A Fire is Burning
Sometimes the desire to feel
close to Her is its own warmth.
Sometimes it is enough.
I’ve a Mother There
Eliza knew it from reason.
I know it from a feeling
and a hope.
First Friend
When I was a spirit girl,
I lived with God.
I was Her companion,
and She mine.
February 15, 2019
The poems are incredibly short. I read the whole collection in a half hour like I was starving for words. Then I spent a few months pouring over them and annotating and letting them just sit in my mind/heart or lead me down a rabbit hole of study. There are some I’m not sure how I ever lived without so clearly did the school me or speak words to feelings I have always had but couldn’t articulate. The illustrations are tops and my 5 year-old boy often watched me read just to look at them. It was a perfect gift from a friend as I struggled through a recent miscarriage.
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