Hollie McNish's poem on Women's Hour

[PurveyorOfWoo]

Did anyone else catch Hollie McNish's poem 'Wow' that she read on R4 Womens Hour for the Women of the World festival?

It provoked such a visceral reaction in me I actually cried!

It really is worth catching if you can - Listen again is not available yet, but should be by tomorrow, it is the first thing so you won't have to listen to the whole hour.

It's all about bodies aging and the pressures to be perfect and obliterate all the stories our bodies tell, particularly from having children.

[babyhood]

oops - here is link to trailer...

[babyhood]

check out more of Hollie's poems in a new film called Babyhood (www.babyhood-film.com) :-)

[HollieMcNish]

For anyone in the London area who wrote on this thread. All your support has led me to start a residency in Battersea Arts Centre to develop their toddler play area into a poetry stage where people with kids can come and see a gig / reading. My first days for anyone in London are here, and free: come along anytime, would be lovely to meet you..! www.bac.org.uk/whats-on/push-kick-scratch/ I'll be in the childrens play area on the 22nd and 23rd Sept, morning and early afternoon x

[greypubes]

some of you need to get a grip.

[HollieMcNish]

Hey Everyone. I thought I'd share this video that has been made of a poem I wrote all about finding out I was pregnant. I hope you enjoy it too and I hope everyone is doing great. It's not public yet so this is the youtube link

[TaffetaCat]

Really wonderful

[missjackson]

Wow, try listening to that while breast-feeding your 6 day old daughter - at some point today I might be able to stop crying!
Just amazing. Thank you Hollie.

[ShowOfHands]

Non-sleeping one year olds are just brilliant. Such good fun.

My mother in law has just turned 50 and to celebrate my father in law cooked a meal for her and all the women she loves and have inspired her over the years. There were 25 women there, nearly all mothers and I played your poem to them all. Everybody sobbed (they were drunk too I must point out). Such a powerful poem.

I'm really pleased I listened to Women's Hour when you were on as otherwise I might never have been introduced to your poetry.

[spooktrain]

really uplifting :-)
You are so right, we should be PROUD of our bodies. I'm so glad I read this today.

[HollieMcNish]

Hi, just to say I've put opposite man words up bornie - holliemcnish.bandcamp.com/track/opposite-man

And that trice I would love you to read it out to your Guides, ofcourse you can and so pleased that you like touch!

Thanks again for all your comments, it's so lovely to read! Just off to try to get a nap for half hour, my one year old is still not sleeping all night but lovely all the same!! x

[trice]

Hollie can I show/read your poem to my Guides?
I really loved it. I bought Touch. Love it.

[KeenBean]

I realise that I am coming late to this discussion, but Hollie's poem is a complete inspiration which also moved me to tears. Even DH was moved; which is a rare occurrence.

[bornie]

Hollie, any chance you could post words to opposite man on bandcamp site. Would love to show to pregnant couples or put up on wall of midwives office. x x

[bamboostalks]

So so amazing. It says it all.

[bronze]

Ahh thank you. I had to press play before the lyrics option came up.

Thank you
another who cried

[piprabbit]

Hollie, thank you for the links - I'm sharing this with my friends, but most importantly with my Mum and my sister.

Thank you.

[Habbibu]

Wow indeed. Fantastic.

I've had psoriasis since I was 16, and I am eternally grateful for it - it's made me love and appreciate my body so much more. I want my daughter and son to feel the same about themselves and will save this poem for them.

[HollieMcNish]

Hi Bronze, it's typed up here:

holliemcnish.bandcamp.com/track/wow

xxx

[KatieMiddleton]

Ooh Hollie posted on the facebook page I admin . She is my new hero

I think her poems should be on the national curriculum. So inspiring. Makes all the shit we're subjected to of primped, preened and air brushed unobtainable ideals feel very insignificant by comparison.

[PurveyorOfWoo]

Brilliant Hollie, thanks for that link. I too shall be passing it to all the women I know. Have just listened to it again and that last line especially does not loose any of its impact in the re-telling.

Glad to hear your baby was cooperating, she must realise what a great message you have needing to get out there !

Good luck with all you do in the future

[hellymelly]

No,thank YOU Hollie,for such a beautiful and inspiring piece of work.I also have daughters and I want this to be the message they carry in their hearts,rather than the endless images of surgically altered celebrities.

[bronze]

My connections not fast enough to listen or watch. Has it been typed up anywhere?

[HollieMcNish]

Great! Am so happy that it has made some of you feel better too. I hate those 'look in the mirror and sigh' moments. Rubbish. We shouldn't have to do that. Also forgot to say to littleant that I'd love to read at mothers groups etc. Just thinking how I could organise it at the moment, so will keep in touch x

[ChristinedePizan]

Thanks so much Hollie. I heard another poem you performed on Women's Hour a couple of months ago and that was really good too. Hope your work continues to go from strength to strength and carry on enjoying your motherhood.

ps my friend Clare in Cambridge said you were really nice and she was right :o