I first encountered the write Clint Smith in his nonfiction How the Word is Passed. I reviewed that in a post I wrote in August 2021 https://elizabethslaughter.com/2021/08/04/american-ahistorical-insights/ Above Ground(2023) while not his first collection of poems, was the first I have read.
Many mothers have written honestly about childbirth and child rearing. Smith was the first poet I have read that relates his experience as a father in the same time of life. Some poems are poignant as he writes of the dangers of raising kids in a violent culture. Some are funny.
My favorite poem speaks of the praise he gets from strangers when he is out in public doing routine errands with his toddler and infant. He accurately notes that his wife gets no such kudos for the same things. He made me realize that I am still pleasantly surprised when I see young fathers carrying their babies in front packs, playing with their older children in the park, picking them up from school and listening to them as they walk by on the sidewalk together. Fathers were nearly completely uninvolved when I was growing up. I can’t think of one who would have taken a toddler to the grocery store! I am probably one of the women who comments to Smith!
The poems are straightforward and unintimidating for anyone wary of reading “modern poetry.” Refreshingly Smith doesn’t try to flaunt his poetic skill, but rather puts down experience as poems, ones that are a true pleasure to read.
Saved By Words 
If you copy and paste the link below into this post in edit mode then it will link to your original review:
https://elizabethslaughter.com/2021/08/04/american-ahistorical-insights/
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Thanks so much Peter. Have now fixed it.
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You can edit it further if you wish by editing the actual link. You can have just a single word, group of words, or even a picture which, when selected, will lead to the link. Sue, at Nan’s Farm has a very useful “How To” on this:
Click to access how-to-create-a-pingback-.pdf
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You are better than WordPress customer service!
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There are several very handy tips on Sue’s site which you can access here:
https://weeklyprompts.com/how-to/
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I was born in that older generation of uninvolved fathers of which you speak — my own father was such a man. I think there are a lot of things in today’s culture which have gone downhill, but this generation of young fathers isn’t one of them, thank God (if you believe in a heavenly father 😀 )
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I think I might reflect in the future of the ways fathers were involved in our lives, just not in the domestic sphere.
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I guess generations nowadays are more involved with child-rearing. I can only speak for my son-in-law who has an endearing relationship with my only grandchild Nate.
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I love the new involvement. Of course your father was central in your life in other ways as many fathers were.
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This poetry sounds lovely, Elizabeth. Even the men of my generation were not involved much with babies. That started about 10 years later. Well, here in South African in any event 🌹
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I think it was the same here. I saw very few fathers with kids even 16 years ago when my first grandchild was born.
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An insightful review
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Thank you.
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Yes, my dad was uninvolved in most of my childhood. He was only interested in ‘masculine things’, like showing me how to use tools, or making me watch him repair the car. Thankfully, I had my mum to get me interested in books, history, and being more than just ‘masculine’.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I am glad for the release from stereotyping, but distressed by the idea that it makes you a different gender or sex or whatever.(still totally confused by the matter(
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It didn’t have that effect on me, but I can see how it might have affected some people.
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It must be my favourite kind of poetry, then. I am vary of heavy words but love it when poetry is used to share stories.
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I would definitely look for the volume.
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