In Kiddos & Mamas Do the Darndest Things, Sharon Waller Knutson explores the concept of maternal surrogacy in a society that already worships its mothers — the good ones, and bad. Her maternal surrogacy includes the special bonds she shares with a bevy of other women’s children, who span all ages and socioeconomic status. In the haunting poem “Blood Mother,” we meet her adorable charge, a blonde, curly-head cherub toddler, the son of a friend, who is in a custody battle: The judge gave his father weekend / visitation although he threatened / to drown him if I didn’t come back. A few lines later we learn his sad fate: He is still in his Dodger cap and jacket / when he is found floating face down /in the river two days after he goes missing. In “Best Mom in the World,” we’re introduced to one of Knutson’s colleagues as she drinks coffee out of a mug, engraved: Best Mom in the World. But when Knutson arrives at her four-story home for dinner, madame is in the bubble bath and Knutson goes into mother-mode, playing Scrabble with two of the children while bouncing a toddler on her knee. Her colleague makes a grand entrance in stiletto heels and turquoise gown: We’re going to the country club, she announces / handing me a slinky red dress that fits like a stocking / I told you not to touch Mommy. It’s adult time. You will meet “The Woman with Fifteen Children,” “The Baby Mama from Hell,” and her “Doppelganger Daughter,” who both bear a striking resemblance to Goldie Hawn. You will find yourself submerged in these story-poems that play out like vignette films due to Knutson’s distinct gift for storytelling.
Carolynn Kingyens, author of “Before the Big Bang Makes a Sound” and “Coupling.” |
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