GLASGOW WOMEN’S LIBRARY
Reading for Wellbeing: reader recommendations of inspiring poems
‘Homage to My Hips’ by Lucille Clifton (from Staying Alive: real poems for unreal times,
edited by Neil Astley)
I love this poem because it's so positive about body image. It conjures up images of a very
confident, powerful woman who is proud of her body. Although the tone is light-hearted and the
poem is humorous, it makes a very strong statement.
‘Sisters’ by Lucille Clifton (available online at http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/241674)
I think this is a really beautiful poem, and very easy to read. I don’t think about my sister when
I read it (because we weren’t close in age) but it reminds me very much of my best friend in
childhood, and the happiness of running together, laughing, playing outside, and that amazing
feeling of closeness.
‘Crossing the Loch’ by Kathleen Jamie (in Modern Women Poets, edited by Deryn ReesJones)
I find this poem evocative of things I feel strongly and positively about: lochs, shorelines, being
in a group and overcoming challenges together and the exhilarating feeling of having been
close to perilous circumstances (especially in the face of nature) and pulling through and
feeling and appreciating the relative sense of safety.
I love the evocation too of the other worldliness of nature on a moon filled night and the
amazing stillness and soundlessness of the lochside.
There is a sense of nostalgia and reflection on this snapshot of the past that could be moments
from our own histories. The timelessness of natures evolution is set against memories of
people and friendships of the past being cherished.
‘What I'm Not Song’ by Liz Lochhead
I chose this poem as, to quote my best mate after I read it out to her on the phone last night,
‘it’s like a big feminist middle finger stretching through the years’! It just filled me with joy when
I came across it, it’s empowering in the way that only telling it like it really is can be. I love that
Liz Lochhead doesn’t mince her words, the reader is left in NO doubt as to what the speaker
isn’t, which then opens up infinite possibilities for what she could be. It’s like a call to arms to
rewrite history, reclaim women’s space and to finally speak the words which will allow US to
define ourselves, what’s not to like??!
‘My Face Is a Map’ by Jackie Kay (from Red, Cherry Red)
I love this poem because I think it’s just so simple and beautifully written, whilst at the same
time being incredibly powerful. It’s about a young girl with a birthmark on her face, which she
describes as being like a map of Australia. When there is talk about her having it removed, she
says,
‘Without my map, will I be the same person?
Will I know where I am, where I have been?’
I think this poem highlights how wonderful it is to love and accept yourself as you are, and in a
culture that’s becoming increasingly obsessed with body image, appearance and cosmetic
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surgery, that’s an important message for all woman to hear.
‘The Laughter of Stafford Girls' High’ by Carol Ann Duffy (from Feminine Gospels)
The legend goes that one of the Stafford High girls started laughing out loud. No one knows
why, it was something funny writing on “a note, torn from the back of the King James Bible”.
This set off her whole class, then the neighbouring classes. Soon the whole school was
laughing out loud, despite the threat of severe consequences from the head teacher.
Eventually all the teachers are laughing too.
This poem reminded me of those times of uncontrollable laughter which are so contagious.
But I also found it empowering. The girls and, eventually, the teachers stop following the rules,
and seem to find freedom through laughter.
Maybe laughing allows us to take life less seriously and help us to focus our energy on the
things that make us happy rather than on those that constrain us and hold us back.
‘Wild Geese’ by Mary Oliver (from Wild Geese: selected poems)
There is something about this poem that I find incredibly comforting. It always makes me cry,
but in a good way!
Some people may find it clichéd, but I do find that if I feel down and need an emotional pick me
up, looking about me at the natural world really helps me. I think that’s what this poem
reminds me of. There’s a real sense that the world seems to know exactly what it’s doing, and
will continue on steadily and securely, and that I have a place in it, regardless of what’s going
on in my own life.
‘I Worried’ by Mary Oliver (from Swan)
I could easily recommend all of her poems, but I really liked this one in particular. I worry a lot
(I blame this on motherhood) and found this poem so lovely and reassuring. Yes, we all worry,
it's part of human nature, but I think this poem really sums up what a waste of time it is! And
instead of worrying, why don't we surrender ourselves to the uncertainties and upheavals of
life, and make hay while the sun shines.
‘Friend’ by Dorothy Baird (from Leaving the nest)
This poem is short and easy to read, which is what I like in a poem!
It reminds me of my wonderful friend and a holiday we had together camping on Skye.
‘There is no-one I would rather travel with…the sparks from our laughter ignite the dampest
wood’.
It makes me feel good because it reminds me of how precious it is to have a close friend who
understands you and who you feel in tune with, without ever having to explain yourself.
Maw Broon visits a therapist by Jackie Kay (from Making for Planet Alice: new women
poets)
You must read this poem, especially if you read the Broons as a child! It’s so funny but also
there’s a real poignancy to it, a vulnerability to Ma Broon that’s quietly affecting.
Other poems we like (but don’t have recommendations for)
Glasgow Women’s Library: Reading For Wellbeing
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‘Gate C22’ by Ellen Bass
‘Still I rise’ by Maya Angelou
‘Phenomenal woman’ by Maya Angelou
‘Because of libraries we can say these things’ by Naomi Shihab Nye
‘One boy told me’ by Naomi Shihab Nye
‘Old tongue’ by Jackie Kay
‘True confessions’ by Liz Lochhead
Glasgow Women’s Library: Reading For Wellbeing
womenslibrary.org.uk