Intentional Reads: A Few Good Mama Poets

April is National Poetry Month and of course, a great reason to celebrate poets who happen to also be mothers. The National Poetry Foundation has shared several poems highlighting themes associated with motherhood. Here are a few3 that resonated with me. I hope they are meaningful to you, too. 

 Toi Derricote’s “In Knowledge of Young Boys” explores the connection between a mother and child before birth. Derricote poignantly captures life before a child is born by exploring themes such as individuality and identity.  

If you’ve been a mother for over five minutes, watching your baby sleep is one of the most exuberant feelings. And having the opportunity to sleep at the same time? Priceless. Alice B. Fogel’s “If I Sleep While My Baby Sleeps,” explores this moment with a quiet precision.

As magical as pregnancy can be, as sweet as newborns can be, motherhood is also difficult. The poem “Homeless” by Juliet Kono shares a mother’s angst when she realizes her child is not who she wanted them to become. Yet, the love remains. 

Finally, how are we responding to the idea of motherhood? Jenny Zhang’s “My Sweet Angel on Earth Thank You For This Life” interrogates the process of becoming a mother and the struggle associated with being a mother. Ultimately, the power of love exists between a mother and child is sustaining force for Zhang.