"Joy, Interrupted"-- Spotlight on contributors Nina Bennett and Ann Mathew

In this and future blog posts, we will be featuring some of the contributors to our upcoming anthology, "Joy, Interrupted: An Anthology on Motherhood and Loss."
(Don't forget to enter our free giveaway!)

Introducing Contributors: Nina Bennett and Ann Mathew

Nina Bennett
Nina can be reached at ninabde@aol.com and you can check out www.transcanalwriters.com for more information. The two poems she has contributed to the anthology are "Symphony in E Minor" and "Sound Effects."  Below is the content of an interview we conducted with Nina:

What are your poems about, who are you, and why did you contribute?
My poems are about about my granddaughter's still birth.  I am a social activist who gives voice, through my writing, to those who have no voice. I am bereaved grandmother.  I am also a band chick-my favorite music is classic (60s and 70s) rock.

Where else have you been published?
My poetry has been published in numerous journals, both print and online. My essays on grief have been published in Grief Digest, MISSing Angels newsletter of the MISS Foundation, and on the website of Open to Hope. My essay "She Was Significant," is a chapter in They Were Still Born.

What inspired your writing?
Following a full term, healthy pregnancy and labor, my grand daughter was unexpectedly born still. I react to trauma and crisis by writing [and a] desire to honor the memory of my granddaughter by increasing awareness of grief resulting from perinatal loss.

Nina also said, "The books relating to motherhood I appreciate and devour are ones that deal with perinatal loss. Thank you for re-opening your wounded heart to make this anthology possible."

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Ann Mathew

Ann's email address is thara15nd@yahoo.co.uk  and her contribution to this anthology is Smoothening the Crumples: Poetry Dancing on Paper through “Kumina” by Edward Kamau Braithwaite

What is your piece about?
The work talks of intense grief and how art participates in being a comforter in the time of the loss of a child. It takes into view Edward Braithwaite's poem Kumina. This dance form is explored in the poem to see how a mother wails and silences herself in the grief of the passing away of her child.

Who are you and what are you interested in?
I am a research scholar from Madras Christian College, Chennai. I am interested in interdisciplinary approaches to topics and my main focus is Diaspora, Music, African American Studies, Superheroes, Movies and many other related topics. My topics of interests always included an understanding of a woman and of the welfare of children.

What inspired you to contribute to this anthology?
When I saw the title of the anthology to be published, I knew right away that I could be a part of this process of comfort and healing, and that I can contribute to it. Undeniably, grief. The need to share it with those who are suffering and lighten their burden.

I have kept two people in mind while writing this piece, my best friend's niece Minnu and my close friend Sajini Daniel. They made this piece come to life.

What other representations of motherhood and loss do you appreciate?
This is a list of a few Malayalam movies: Makalkku,Deshadanam, Pookaalam Varavaayi, Maalootty.   Some Malayalam works include Basheer's "Amma",the poem by Edasseri's poem "Poothapattu."   Also the music of Idan Raichel, an Israeli singer-songwriter, in his songs Min Nhar Li Mshiti, Maisha  and several others

We are honored to have Nina and Ann share their work with us! Stay tuned for more interviews in future blog posts!