Motherhood: Journey into Love : An Anthology of Poetry from Welcome Home

The arresting poetry and exquisite artwork of contemporary mothers make this both a timely and timeless collection. From the first awareness of pregnancy to anticipating future grandchildren, from struggling with questions of identity to reflecting on deep contentment, from the exuberant joys to the wrenching heartaches of motherhood -- the most intimate feelings and inspired insights are expressed in these eloquent poems. Evocative artwork rendered in a variety of media by thirty artists is an integral part of this breathtaking collection, providing visual pleasure on every page and an invitation for contemplation. Readers will nod knowingly as they discover one beautifully wrought phrase after another bringing to light both the uniqueness and the universality of motherhood. The diverse, compelling voices of more than forty poets examine these and other topics:

* the wonders and transformation of pregnancy,

* anticipation and awe of birth,

* grief and sorrow of miscarriage,

* profound and everyday moments of mother/child relationships,

* complexities of life with a special needs child,

* poignancy of adolescence,

* mothers' awareness of growth and the process of letting go. Selected with great care and skillfully reproduced to maintain the character of the originals, the artwork beautifully complements the poems. The variety of artists' media include pencil, ink, graphite and charcoal drawings, watercolor and acrylic paintings, prints and etchings. Printed on high-quality heavyweight linen paper, this book will become a lasting treasure. Laughing, reminiscing, sighing and crying, readers will find themselves returning again and again to poems that echo in their hearts. Written, edited and illustrated by today's mothers, Motherhood: Journey Into Love offers camaraderie, support and a sense of community. This anthology of poetry and art is remarkable for its quality and soaring power.