When writers create stories, often the writing style shows much about who they are and how they wish to share their art with the world. What many might not consider is the form in which they write as well. Some choose short stories, novellas, a novel, or an entire series to complete the message. But also, some find that poetry is the best way to express their thoughts, reflect on significant moments, and challenge the status quo. No Spare People by Erin Hoover is a collection of poems that show readers another way to look at one woman’s experiences throughout the most significant moments in recent history, in a way that is unapologetic yet still endearing.
Right from the first poem, Hoover sets the tone for the collection. In these lines, she somehow captures what motherhood forces women to become. She challenges readers to acknowledge what society does to women – and who benefits from these forced roles. As readers progress through her work, we get insight into her experiences of her constrained life as a queer woman in the South. Even more so, what it means for a woman to choose to raise a child on her own. She also expresses her looming sorrow in post-9/11 New York. And when readers piece it all together, that we are learning the perspective of a queer single mother during the 21st century, we realize how profound her message really is.
Here are the poems that stood out to me from this collection:
- On the metaphor, for women, of birthing to creative activity
- At the child support office
- The nineties
- Three weeks
- Self-owning rondeau
- The power of passive voice
- Retail requiem
- My generation is not lost but we are losing
- White woman
- Maternity exhibit as the singularity
- Real Arkansas
- But for the hours I didn’t care if I lived
- In middle age, at last I understand
- What use are you?
- Forms and materials
- What if pain no longer ordered the narrative
Being a collection of poems, this is an easy read in time or duration only. But I encourage readers to slow down and take in each word, observe the placement of her words, and consider who she is speaking to. As a fellow mother, many of Hoover’s words resonated with me. Yet I also recommend this to readers who won’t share the same sentiments – as they might need to see life from this perspective even more.
Erin Hoover joins us for a Cantina Conversation to talk about her work and the biggest challenges of writing and everything else. Keep an ear out for an upcoming episode of the Cantina Book Club podcast and order No Spare People, available now.
