Poetry often has the ability to capture things we’d like to say but might not be able to put into words. In Jessica Urlichs’ They Bloom Because of You, a touching collection of poems gives voice to some of the innumerable sides of motherhood. From the tender feelings of new parenthood to the mixed emotions inherent in the fleeting passage of time and what it means for both children and parents, Urlichs paints a picture of experiences and sentiments that are surely shared by many readers.
What I appreciated most about They Bloom Because of You was Urlichs’ expression and validation of the various faces of motherhood and the fact that they can coexist. She articulates that mothers can simultaneously be content and struggling with their mental health. Her poetry captures how mothers can embrace their identity of caregiver while craving the person they used to be. She describes what it’s like for a mother to feel the immense challenge of a moment or phase but also its simplicity and joy. Similarly, Urlichs notes the shades of grey that exist in what it means to be a partner, a friend, and a family member once children come into the picture. Simply put, her poetry captures the spectrum of motherhood.
Mother or not, you can’t help but be moved by Urlichs’ candid motherhood memoir-in-verse capturing what it means to be one who helps children flourish and what changes and remains the same along the way.
