Post by moira on May 16, 2008 22:01:11 GMT 2
[glow=gray,2,300][/glow]
Weaning the Babies
Ann Neuser Lederer
A new collection of poetry by Literary Mama contributor Ann Neuser Lederer, has just come out from Pudding House. Related metaphorically to weaning, the book also integrates snippets of emails from Lederer's now 26-year-old son as codas, creating a shadow narrative.
www.literarymama.com/interact/blog/archives/2007_07.html
Sample poem:
Weaning the Babies
Their frayed little leashes strain as they try
yet again to scamper out into the street.
In their strollers, they insist on standing
up backwards, once they learn how.
You strap them back into the bike seats.
Sirens, they wail behind you as you pedal off.
Their new needle teeth are too sharp now for your
tender nipples, so you swat them away.
Years later, your breast twists at this memory,
pulling itself apart from your fluttery heart.
Every time you see them, lined up on stages in neat
Suzuki rows, mini violins tucked up under their chins,
or walking at dawn with the day care lady,
jackets zipped, holding each others' fingers,
Every time you see them, you must look away.
The chains you have locked around them.
The brands you have scalded into their fresh skins.
The teats that ached for decades as your milk dried up.
At least it is not to wars they are going.
At least, not that.
About the author:
Samples and links are available on her website:[/i]
home.windstream.net/lederer/ann/
Weaning the Babies 158998546X 2007, $10.00
Pudding House
[glow=teal,2,300]BUY HERE, BUY NOW:[/glow]
www.puddinghouse.com/pub-guide.htm[/font]
Weaning the Babies
Ann Neuser Lederer
A new collection of poetry by Literary Mama contributor Ann Neuser Lederer, has just come out from Pudding House. Related metaphorically to weaning, the book also integrates snippets of emails from Lederer's now 26-year-old son as codas, creating a shadow narrative.
www.literarymama.com/interact/blog/archives/2007_07.html
Sample poem:
Weaning the Babies
Their frayed little leashes strain as they try
yet again to scamper out into the street.
In their strollers, they insist on standing
up backwards, once they learn how.
You strap them back into the bike seats.
Sirens, they wail behind you as you pedal off.
Their new needle teeth are too sharp now for your
tender nipples, so you swat them away.
Years later, your breast twists at this memory,
pulling itself apart from your fluttery heart.
Every time you see them, lined up on stages in neat
Suzuki rows, mini violins tucked up under their chins,
or walking at dawn with the day care lady,
jackets zipped, holding each others' fingers,
Every time you see them, you must look away.
The chains you have locked around them.
The brands you have scalded into their fresh skins.
The teats that ached for decades as your milk dried up.
At least it is not to wars they are going.
At least, not that.
About the author:
Ann Neuser Lederer's poems and creative nonfiction are published in
her chapbooks Weaning the Babies (Pudding House, 2007), The
Undifferentiated (Pudding House, 2003) and Approaching Freeze
(Foothills, 2003), in journals such as XConnect, Diagram, Brevity,
MiPo, Diner, Kalliope, and Wind; and in anthologies including Best of
the Net 2007, Bedside Guide (No Tell Motel) and Letters To The World
(Red Hen Press). She is employed as a visiting nurse in Kentucky.
Samples and links are available on her website:[/i]
home.windstream.net/lederer/ann/
Weaning the Babies 158998546X 2007, $10.00
Pudding House
[glow=teal,2,300]BUY HERE, BUY NOW:[/glow]
www.puddinghouse.com/pub-guide.htm[/font]