What We Carry: Poetry on childbearing at Smith’s Alternative

Mother’s Day, Sunday 9 May, was a special affair at Smith’s Alternative Bookstore, as a host of ACT-region poets and those from further afield came together for the launch of poetry anthology, What We Carry: poetry on childbearing. Edited by Ella Kurz, Simone King and our own Communications Manager, Claire Delahunty, What We Carry is a new release from indie publisher, Recent Work Press.

Poets including Melinda Smith, Paul Collis, Jacqui Malins, Rose Lucas, Michelle Cahill, and Simone King gave live readings of their anthologised works. Video readings came from Eileen Chong, Esther Ottaway, Miriam Wei Wei Lo and M.T.C. Cronin.

Canberra folk/classical-inspired musical trio, Lady Luck, provided incredible soundscapes to readings by Melinda Smith and Claire Delahunty, and adapted poetry by Anita Patel and Susan Fealy into song form.

An in-person audience and digital viewers across the country were part of a moving afternoon celebrating women’s voices; their stories; their capacity to bear life and the burden and power that can accompany this capacity.

What We Carry expresses the ineffable mosaic of wonder, fatigue, love, elation, discomfort and tedium experienced during pregnancy, birth and early parenthood, as well as looking at loss, agency and the many decisions to be made around carrying new life. You can order a copy online through Recent Work Press. Follow What We Carry on Facebook.