A History of Holding: Poems on Motherhood

"This is a book to savor, cling to, and gift to every mother you know. A stunning debut."

-Ashlee Gadd, author of Create Anyway

A History of Holding is an intimate poetry collection exploring the emotional landscape of mothering. These poems trace a physical and emotional transformation that unfolds alongside exhaustion, grief, and awe.

Moving through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood, Allison Mei-Li traces the tension between holding on and letting go-of time, identity, and a child who is always becoming someone new. Grounded in everyday moments, from late-night Google searches to sun-drenched kitchens, these poems offer a tender, clear-eyed portrait of motherhood as it is lived.