In 2024, Michaela Godding and her partner both lost grandmothers, “processing became a constant in every part of our lives, even if at times at different stages.” Her new poetry book, The Year Our Grandmothers Died (Ace of Swords Publishing), pays tribute to the transformative power of grandmothers and the pain of losing one.
The stakes are high in these poems: pets die, mothers go to jail, and friends are shot. The glue that holds the narrative: a grandmother's observant and devoted love—one that expresses itself in hot dogs topped with mac & cheese, that alchemizes a child’s pain into the pleasure of achievement via violin lessons, and the “in-between / laughs / that helped me / meet forgiveness”.
One of the poems toward the end of the collection, “I pray often”, leaves us with the reminder that “hope / is a choice.” One often feels Godding making that choice in this heartfelt collection. We’re proud to offer it to readers on The Poetry Shop.
Michaela Godding, welcome to the Poetry Shop 5! We always start by asking writers about their gateway poet—who was the poet that first sparked your interest in poetry?
Warsan Shire. In high school, I listened to her read the poem "How to Wear Your Mothers Lipstick" and something in me changed. I was amazed at how her words could be heavy and yet her voice could be so soft. Then I read her poem "Backwards" and was amazed at how she could give the same words a different context simply by how she ordered them. The duality of her voice and work at large made me fascinated in figuring out how to capture the same magic through my own words and ideas.
Which poetry book are you currently reading?
Terror Counter by Fargo Nissim Tbakhi. This collection is so jarring in its honesty. The heart and violence of this book are palpable. This is an imperative read into Palestinian perspective.
Is there a book on the craft of writing that you recommend to poets?
The Practice of Poetry: Writing Exercises from Poets Who Teach (William Morrow & Company) by Robin Behn. The prompts in this book chosen by experienced poetry professors often get me unstuck when I need it. I appreciate that the prompts are separated by craft techniques as a teacher, but that each exercise still rings true to the original author's voice.
Who is a new voice in poetry that we need to check out–someone with a debut book or recent release?
Perry Janes' debut collection, Find Me When You're Ready (Curbstone Press), is my latest obsession. The book tackles huge themes like childhood, memory, abuse and trauma, all while still offering a tonal exactness. I think that Janes navigates memory like a playground, and his ability to use discomfort as a tool in storytelling is unique and exciting without being overbearing. If you want to learn more about his latest collection, you can read my interview with him for Poetry Daily here. (Perry Janes’ poem highlighted in his interview with Michaela: “You Keep Asking the Question. We Keep Answering.”)
About Michaela Godding
Michaela Godding is a 28-year-young queer poet and singer who is a current Poetry MFA candidate at George Mason University. Her debut chapbook, dwelling, was published by Bottlecap Press. More of her work can be found in Rabble Review Issues 4, 5 and 7, in the Connecticut Bards Poetry Review Book of 2022, and on the side of Arlington, VA's public buses, which feature her poem "I Pray Often". You can follow her current projects, interviews, podcast appearances and upcoming publications on her instagram, @michaelagodding.
Books and Collections Referenced
The Year Our Grandmothers Died (Ace of Swords Publishing) by Michaela Godding
Terror Counter (Deep Vellum Publishing) by Fargo Nissim Tbakhi
The Practice of Poetry: Writing Exercises from Poets Who Teach (William Morrow & Company) by Robin Behn
Find Me When You're Ready (Curbstone Press) by Perry Janes
