Red Mother

by Laurel Radzieski

Sometimes we all feel as if our relationships consume us. In Red Mother Laurel Radzieski weaves a love story told from the perspective of a parasite. This series of short poems explores the intimacy, desire and devotion we all experience by following the sometimes tender, often distressing relationship that emerges between a parasite and its host. Radzieski’s poetry is playful, though often with sinister undertones. Far from romanticizing either role, Red Mother takes readers on a tour of their own innards, exposing the hooks and claws of all involved. Following the parasite’s life cycle, the book blurs the line between science and poetic license to create a fantastical romp not for the squeamish. Although parasites are not known as conversationalists, Radzieski’s guest has a lot to say.

Genres: Poetry

80 pages, Paperback

First published February 14, 2018

About the author

Laurel Radzieski is a poet and the author of Leaf Manifesto, winner of Middle Creek Publishing & Audio's 2024 Halycon Award. Her book, Red Mother (NYQ Books, 2018), won the 2020 Whirling Prize in Poetry from Etchings Press. Her poems have appeared in Clockhouse, Rust + Moth, The New York Quarterly, Atlas and Alice, House of Zolo's Journal of Speculative Literature, and elsewhere, including on a street sign and roadsides in Wisconsin. She earned her MFA at Goddard College and has been a writer-in-residence at Wormfarm Institute. Laurel enjoys writing poems for strangers in community spaces. She lives in Reading, Pennsylvania and writes at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts. When not writing poems, Laurel is the Director of Grants at Alvernia University. She enjoys playing board games that take up the whole table.

Reviews

[Ulrike]

went hard as fuck made me Gasp Aloud a couple times.

[Jeff Warchal]

The book Red Mother shows us what love combined with wackiness looks like. We look through the “eyes and mind” of the parasite and its strange adventures, constantly seeking and savoring the love of the host. The parasite’s many adventures will certainly keep you captivated! I especially like the poem on page 40, which suggested some confusion on the host’s part as to its makeup, asking “is this my anus, or my mouth, or something more useful.” How often are we in a situation where we want to be most useful, yet don’t know where to begin? I highly recommend and hope you enjoy the read!

[Julie]

Laurel Radzieski's clear, concise poems present a love affair of a parasite with its host that is at once frightening, absorbing, comical and urbane. She takes us on a uniquely baffling and simultaneously all-too-familiar journey of a love affair from the perspective of the parasite. Within the precision of science, Radzieski brings us into the "mind" and "heart" of the parasite which are at times romantic and seductive, and at others coy and manipulative. This is one of those books that is a smart and fun first read that will keep you thinking until you pick up the book once again.

[Sabrina]

The idea of love poems told from the p.o.v. of a parasite to its host was intriguing, strange and perhaps a little uncomfortable at times. The uncomfortable parts aren't what you would think they are, nothing that makes you nausious, it is when you realize that you identify with this parasite. The writing is truly beautiful and after reading this if someone told me they thought of me as a parasite or parastitic, I would be flattered.

[Perla Delgado]

Es un poemario muy breve, con una idea que me llamó la atención por lo original que me pareció: poemas sobre la relación entre un parásito y su 'host' (todos, o casi todos, desde el punto de vista del parásito), con una narración que no está romantizada, pero si pareciera contar una historia de amor, uno muy tóxico y dependiente.

De mis cosas favoritas es la lista de libros y artículos médicos sobre parasitología que hay al final y que inspiraron algunos de estos breves poemas.

[d]

itwas pretty good. found it while ramdomly browsing. i really liked the theme and how visceral some of them were. my favorite was the one with chairs and legs though i dont know why that one specifically was so compelling to me. maybe if i sit with this book for a bit longer and let my feelings marinate i will come back with a higher rating

[Samantha Kolber]

This is a gem and should be winning awards. I love it! Favorite poem on page 42:

My oasis, my love,
My warm hole.
You make me so fierce
I chew myself.

-Laurel Radzieski.

You definitely need this little book of poetry!

[Danielle Kaffka]

I got this book at an LGBT art festival. I went in expecting to find some weird and wonderful pieces, which I definitely did. This book exceeded my expectations.

[Patricia]

Will review soon.