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Book Cover for: A History of Holding: Poems on Motherhood, Allison Mei-Li

A History of Holding: Poems on Motherhood

Allison Mei-Li

A History of Holding explores what it means to be a human while raising one.

Described by Ashlee Gadd (Create Anyway) as "a book to savor, cling to, and gift to every mother you know," this poetry collection captures the complicated beauty of motherhood-the ache of exhaustion, the wonder of small moments, and the way time bends and blurs.

From desperate search histories to dancing in a sun-kissed kitchen, each poem is a mirror, an exhale, a recognition that motherhood is not only about giving life, but learning how to hold it all: our children, our memories, ourselves.

Lyrical and unflinching, A History of Holding gives language to the beautiful and brutal work of becoming, and to the quiet truth that what we hold is never meant to stay the same.

Book Details

  • Publisher: Third Moon Press
  • Publish Date: Nov 11st, 2025
  • Pages: 80
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 9.00in - 6.00in - 0.19in - 0.26lb
  • EAN: 9798993423302
  • Categories: Women AuthorsParenting - MotherhoodAmerican - General

About the Author

Mei-Li, Allison: - Allison Mei-Li is a poet, mother, and speech-language pathologist based in Southern California. You can visit her at writtenbyallison.com.

Praise for this book

"A History of Holding captures the raw and tender realities of becoming a mother, giving language to the experiences so many women carry just under the skin and fear they're facing alone. This is a book of longing, grief, and joy so raw it rubs against the most tender parts of the heart. More than anything, this book offers what its title promises: the rare gift of feeling held."

-ELISE POWERS, author of The Size of Your Joy

"What a vivid, fearless, compassionate portrait of motherhood. Allison Mei-Li cracks her heart wide open and leaves nothing behind. This is a book to savor, cling to, and gift to every mother you know. A stunning debut."

-ASHLEE GADD, author of Create Anyway: The Joy of Creating in the Margins of Motherhood

"Beautifully written, tender and poignant. Reading A History of Holding feels like holding a crystal of womanhood up to the light-every turn reveals a different facet. Incredibly special."

-MICHELLE AWAD, author of Soul Trash, Space Garbage