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.

[zippy539]

I agree Lamb - just listened to it again and totally blubbing. I want to keep it for my daughter when she's older - brilliant.

[hellymelly]

Blimey-that made me WAIL ! wiping the tears off now.Agree with zippy,-brilliant.

[lambslettuce]

If it doesn't make the cut for Weekend Woman's Hour, the world really will have gorn mad.

[suddsoaps]

It was beautiful my husband heard it first. We listened to it again and we wept .

[nellyjane]

I'm another who wept listening to this when it came on weekend woman's hour, with my one year old sleeping beside me. Thank you Hollie. Will go and have a look at your website.

[LucieM]

Hollie, just looking for your poem online cos I was moved to tears when I heard you on the radio. I was having a particularly down on myself morning, feeling saggy stretched marked bellied and drooping boobs, just like you said, and your words spoke straight to me, like a message from the universe! It was so beautiful! Thank you for reminding me I am a normal woman! xx

[justinejammaker]

Just been listening to the Saturday version of womans hour and ended up having to park up with my 2 daughters in the back as I was crying so much. I have never been moved to tears by a poem before and was so surprised by my reaction I had to look it up again as soon as I got home and cried all over again. Utterly fantastic!!

[ilovemydogandMrObama]

could some bright person do a link please? Was listening to it taking DD to a party....

[travellingwilbury]

Another one that listened and had a wee sob , Wow ! indeed .

[LadyBiscuit]

GeraldineMN posted one quite early on in the thread (as did I). Scroooool down :)

[Amarach]

I know I'm echoing what everyone else has said, but I was listening to Weekend Woman's Hour today and found myself weeping on hearing 'Wow'. Have just been listening to some of Hollie's other stuff on www.myspace.com/papanicol. So great to hear breastfeeding (for example) as the subject of beautiful and powerful poetry.

[Amarach]

Sorry meant to make that link click-able [http://www.myspace.com/papanicol]

[Amarach]

Oops, sorry - I won't bother trying again but it IS worth listening to her other stuff.

[ilovemydogandMrObama]

How did I miss the link? Can't see over my pregnant tummy and saggy boobs

[LadyBiscuit]

[http://www.myspace.com/papanicol]] there you go :)

Ilovemydog - I hoik my boobs over my shoulders, only way

[LadyBiscuit]

www.myspace.com/papanicol

Aargh :o

[bornie]

Heard Hollie on woman's hour and was also stopped in my tracks. Have since listened to Push Kick and am blown away at the strength and impact of this poetry. I am a midwife and a mother of four (including three young adult girls) and am so inspired by this. I am thinking I might read out 'opposite man' at one of our antenatal classes. In short Hollie you have made a real impression on me and discovering your poetry has been the highlight of my week. THANKS !!!!!!

[Bramshott]

Blimey - I nearly had to pull over when I was listening to this in the car yesterday.

Hollie - it's an amazing poem. Really looking forward to reading the text again online and sharing with friends!

[whoamamma]

just heard it on wh podcast. amazing - about to send it to everyone I know!

Hollie - wow!

[HollieMcNish]

Hi,

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all these comments, it is so lovely to hear from people and I'm amazed by the response to be honest. Because of all this talk I've now managed to record and master the poem and put it online so anyone who wants to can download it for free. Thanks to my wee girl for sleeping for the last few hours without waking, I had the time to do it!!

Here's the link:
holliemcnish.bandcamp.com/album/wow

And I hope you don't mind but I used lambslettuce comment as a quote. Is that ok? I was just really chuffed with it! I can take it down if you don't want me to use it, no problem x

Oh, and a video of it is at: //www.youtube.com/standuppoetry

Thank you all soooo much and hope you are all well and happy and enjoying motherhood xxx

[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

[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

[bronze]

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

[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.