What I Learned in New Hampshire by Cristina M. R. Norcross

What I Learned in New Hampshire
by
Cristina M. R. Norcross

There must be something in the water,
said my neighbor.

I learned that pregnancy is sometimes contagious.

Within six months we all had babies.

We started a mommy playgroup

for our communal sanity.

I learned that in small-town America,

Halloween decorating is competitive.

The blow-up jack-o’-lanterns keep getting bigger and bigger.

And never leave a big bowl of sweets

with a sign that says “take one” unattended.

I learned that even if you are a solitary,

non-joiner kind of person,

parenthood will suddenly make you social —

the need for adult conversation

outweighs the need for privacy.

Winter lasts at least until egg-hunting time,

but if you stand on the back porch,

with the wind coming in the right direction,

you can still smell the ocean.

This poem first appeared in the 2013 Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar.
Used here with the author’s permission.

Cristina M. R. Norcross is the author of nine poetry collections and the editor of the online poetry journal, Blue Heron Review. Her most recent collection is The Sound of a Collective Pulse (Kelsay Books, 2021). During the pandemic, Cristina taught herself how to knit scarves, and has made one for almost every member of her extended family. She is thankful that long walks by the lake, where she lives in southeast Wisconsin, have replaced going to the gym. The natural world finds its way into much of Cristina's writing. Learn more about her at www.cristinanorcross.com.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon

paula:
Those days are over for me, but I remember them fondly. Always good to hear your voice.
Posted 10/29/2013 09:48 PM

Jo:
Love your poem Cristina. Parenting makes social beings of all of us, solitary or not. Really enjoyed your poem.
Posted 10/29/2013 11:05 AM

plgoodman:
Lovely, Christina. I love the opening line, and the closing. You have a touch...
Posted 10/29/2013 10:44 AM

Sherry:
Your skill in telling this story is so good. I especially like the way you turn the poem on its ear with the last line - everything depends on that last line! I'm glad Jayne has helped me discover your work.
Posted 10/29/2013 09:46 AM

Wilda Morris:
Also in suburban Illinois, parenting creates friendships - even among the parents of teenagers!
Posted 10/29/2013 09:12 AM

mimi:
o yes, I remember how it was...and I the only poet among them! fun poem, Cristina, and true...
Posted 10/29/2013 08:33 AM

paradea:
Real and true. Thanks for a fabulous poem.
Posted 10/29/2013 08:07 AM

TheSilverOne:
Sounds like small town Wisconsin, except we have Lake Michigan.
Posted 10/29/2013 07:31 AM

gigi:
So true. So many friendships via parenthood, some over 40 years old now. I love the last two lines.
Posted 10/29/2013 05:43 AM

Contents of this web site and all original text and images therein are copyright © by Your Daily Poem. All rights reserved.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Purchasing books through any poet's Amazon links helps to support Your Daily Poem.
The material on this site may not be copied, reproduced, downloaded, distributed, transmitted, stored, altered, adapted,
or otherwise used in any way without the express written permission of the owner.