all my children: a poetic memoir of pregnancy, loss and love

By Michelle Marks

All my children is a collection of poetry from Australian indie author Michelle Marks. Raw and honest, All my children follows the author’s journey through pregnancy loss, subsequent pregnancies and the process of healing. Michelle’s words validate the feelings of guilt, loss and grief experienced when a mother loses a child. Highlig

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bottle Tree Press
• Release date: Jan 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9780648217510

Book preview

Copyright © Michelle Marks 2018

The moral rights of the author have been asserted. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the author and publisher of this book.

This book is designed to provide information and motivation to our readers. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged to render any type of psychological, legal, or any other kind of professional advice. This book is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of physicians. The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to his/her health and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. The content of this book is the sole expression and opinion of its author, and not necessarily that of the publisher. Neither the publisher nor the individual author shall be liable for any physical, psychological, emotional, financial, or commercial damages, including, but not limited to, special, incidental, consequential or other damages.

Editing: assisichant.com

Cover Art: ingridclareartdesign.com

Cover Design: Pickawoowoo Publishing Group

Formatting: Pickawoowoo Publishing Group

ISBN: 9780648217503 (paperback)

ISBN: 9780648217510 (ebook)

Bottle Tree Press

PO Box 848, Cooroy, Queensland, Australia

IN MEMORY

Jessie, 28 March 2003

Matthew, 31 March 2003

Ross

Thank you for sharing this journey and

for never losing your sense of humour.

Meg, Luke, Nathan

My greatest teachers.

Thank you.

Contents

Part One: Plan

Part Two: Neonatal Death

Part Three: Feeling

Part Four: Heal

Preface

In writing All My Children, I hope to encourage communities to talk more about child loss – to start

a conversation and to stand together.

My husband Ross and I started our family in 2003. Following the death of our premature twins the same year, I felt a deep sense of trauma, guilt and loss.

All My Children began as an outpouring of words in notebooks over many years and evolved into this collection of poems and thoughts.

May you find comfort in these words and the strength to seek the guidance you need to heal as

you continue along your own journey.

May family and friends receive insight into pregnancy loss and the understanding to support loved ones.

For my own children. May you never walk alone.

Part One

Plan

‘an orderly arrangement of parts of an overall