NATURAL BIRTH: BOOK REVIEW
What does motherhood consist of?
Natural Birth by Toi Derricotte deals with themes about love, longing, and motherhood. She writes a riveting account of her life and observations of others around her. Poem to poem, you can't keep your eyes off the book. It transports you into such common but unspoken moments that many mothers and parents undergo.
Derricotte dissects the meaning of motherhood. These moments aren’t always moments of strength, rather there can be an extreme vulnerability. She ponders about her daughter. But along with that comes daunting loneliness. Not only does she reflect on her journey during motherhood, but witnesses other women’s trials and tribulations. She hones in on her thoughts but also draws from the women she meets.
For me, Derricotte’s accounts on pain were most important. As I witnessed my own mother in her most painful moments, these poems assembled her similar feelings in such a tangible way. I think our mothers’ pain often goes unnoticed, however as the poet writes, it's such a common feeling. This first-hand account of her physical and emotional strain vivifies this narrative. In poems like “maternity” and “10:29” readers get an account of her suffering and pain, and the condition she is left in. Parenthood takes a physical toll— an extremely extensive one.
Reading through the poet’s pain would make me wince, often I would feel some of her reverberations in my own body. While I don’t know exactly what motherhood means or feels like, Derricotte’s writing gives me further insight into what it is and feels like. Her work made me reflect on all that my caretakers have done for me, and how much their struggles go unnoticed.
The structure of the book adds to its beautiful composition. I have a special admiration for prose poetry, and I find that this structure allows the poet to beautifully convey her first-hand accounts in a poetic by story-like format. This structure makes the emotions more understandable to readers and is proof of Derricotte’s genius craft. There are also moments where her work takes on a more poetic form rather than prose poetry, but each structure fits her message and story so perfectly.
Engaging and moving, Derricotte's poems paint a reality. One that as a young person I don't understand, but now I can say I have a firmer grasp on because of how powerful her work is. If anything, this book will inspire you to give the people who have looked out for you, in spite of the pain, the appreciation they deserve.
