Lindsay Soberano Wilson’s “Hoods of Motherhood” is a captivating and deeply moving collection of poetry that navigates the readers through the intricate emotional landscape of motherhood. With a masterful blend of vulnerability and strength, Wilson invites her readers on a journey through the joys, challenges, and complexities of nurturing a new life.

The title “Hoods of Motherhood” beautifully encapsulates its central theme – the multifaceted nature of motherhood. Each poem serves as a different “hood,” exploring the various roles and identities a mother has to embody. The probity and honesty with which the poetess celebrates her poems are praiseworthy. She does not glorify motherhood in conventional terms but rather prefers to expose the duality of the maternal experience with its glory as well as struggles.

Throughout the collection the tone of the poems is reflective and introspective, often weaving together moments of wonder, isolation, and self-doubt. Wilson’s ability to capture the raw, messy realities of daily life alongside profound emotional revelations creates a richly textured reading experience for me. Anyone who is going through this phase of parenthood can relate to her poems.

The literary allusions, and references to Lady Macbeth, Alice in Wonderland, and Rapunzel add layers of meaning to the poems, connecting personal experiences to broader cultural narratives. These allusions serve to underscore the universal aspects of motherhood while maintaining the intimacy of the individual poetic voice.

The use of imagery is particularly evocative, bringing to life the sensory world of motherhood in vivid detail. In “Eau de Breastmilk and Puke,” for instance, she juxtaposes the idealized notions of motherhood with its messy realities, creating a relatable portrait of early parenthood.

The collection also excels in its exploration of identity. Poems like “I Am More Than the Sum of My Parts” and “The Eternal Child in the Mother” delve into the complexities of maintaining self-consciousness while nurturing others. Wilson’s Canadian Jewish identity adds another layer of richness to her work, infusing the poems with cultural specificity and universal appeal.

“But I was more removed

 from the crushing weight

of being the daughter

 of Holocaust survivors

 of knowing they just got off

 by the skin of their teeth.”

The poem “I Can Rest Now” has resonated with me for a long time. It reflects the exhaustion of caregiving roles ignoring own well-being. I can relate myself in that state of enervation as a mother. “A Mother’s Healing Touch” takes me to that world of warm love. “My Bubby Toby’s Secret” reminds me of my old grandma, whose hands, ‘dotted in wrinkles, sunspots lifelines and piercing veins’ were the abode of love for me.

“Hoods of Motherhood” confronts variegated themes like feelings of inadequacy, the weight of societal expectations, and the struggle to find peace amidst chaos. Yet, throughout these challenges, there’s an undercurrent of resilience and hope, particularly evident in poems like “The Wise Mother” and “Utopia I Have Seen.”

Wilson’s skilful use of various poetic devices enhances the emotional impact of her work. Her language is lyrical and dreamlike as well as piercing and unflinching, always prioritising the emotional truth of her characters. The poetess emphasises the importance of self-reliance, education, pursuit of identity amidst the shadows of the past. The note of healing that is evident in every poetry collection by Lindsay Soberano Wilson becomes synonymous with the poetess herself.

“Hoods of Motherhood” is a triumph of contemporary poetry. Lindsay Soberano Wilson has crafted a collection that speaks to the heart of the maternal experience, offering solace, understanding, and celebration to mothers everywhere. Her work reminds us of the power of shared experiences and the profound beauty found in the everyday moments of nurturing life. This is a collection to be savoured and reflected upon by everyone who has navigated the joys and challenges of motherhood.

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