Scribbled Thoughts

Her Birth by Rebecca Goss

This poetry collection is heart breaking, deeply moving and beautifully done. The poems go through the birth, short life, death and aftermath of Goss’ daughter, born with a heart condition.

            It describes the pain of knowing she will die, but trying to give her everything they can while she’s still there. They still need to do mundane activities like eat even with a terminally ill baby. Every illness is life threatening; hospital trips considered normal.

            The most heart-breaking section is when her daughter is gone and she is a mother with no child. She can’t move on or let go, and is angry that other people don’t realise her loss or still have their children, alive and well.

            It describes the barrier/distance it creates with her other relationships, mainly with her husband. Her grief, anger and overwhelming loss are always present. Even when they decide to have another child, and get to experience the joy of a healthy baby, she constantly worries she will forget her first or belittle her short life by enjoying her sister.

            It’s an emotional read, and I teared up a few times (on a train, no less) but I highly recommend it. It’s beautiful, raw emotion in poem form.