(Review): Plum | Delilah Kealy Roberts

By Delilah Kealy-Roberts

Photography Jaredd Craig, via Unsplash  

Do you ever wish you could sit down and have a chat with your younger self? I bet you do. That confused pre-pubescent child who needs a LOT of things explained; that angsty teenager who is pretty sure they are isolated and completely misunderstood; that not-quite-yet-a-grown-up sweating over massive “what shall I do with my life” decisions at the age of 17… They could all do with a friendly older-self to buy them a cup of coffee or a lemonade and tell them it’s all going to work out ok.

Plum, the poetry collection by spoken word artist and feminist inspo Hollie McNish features poems written throughout McNish’s career and adolescence. Placing these funny and important poems side by side creates the impression that the adult writer, her childhood self, and her exasperated teenage self are all sharing their equally valid views with you. Almost in dialogue with each other, the different Hollie McNishes get equal space within the collection. Even when, in the commentary, she pokes fun at her younger self’s anxieties, every emotion is thoughtfully included, giving a refreshing voice to the female coming-of-age experience today.

In relation to these poems of her youth she spoke to The Guardian: “They’re terrible,” she laughs. “They’re mainly about sex and not getting into nightclubs.” Trivial topics? Or perhaps some of the most pressing for your former 17-year-old self?

Gone are the days of poetry being deemed highbrow and inaccessible; when you read Plum I can guarantee you will personally relate to at least one poem in this wonderful collection. That poem may be ‘PMT’ a rage-fuelled rant about having to put up with periods (written age 16), ‘Unlike the Lads’ an honest poem about different versions of losing one’s virginity (importantly distinguishing between drunk sex, sober sex, and sex which actually allows a woman to orgasm), or ‘Naked Insecurities’ (well, we’ve all been there). It’s the collection that you will wish you could hand over to your younger self during that coffee catch up you already have planned; “Here, give this a read, you’re not the only one I promise”.

As well as giving an honest and much-needed voice to the adolescent girl, Plum iss one to give insightful perspective about aging as a woman. Some poems may bring a tear to your eye, but most will harness you with a sense of optimism and a need to relish each and every moment. The poem ‘Resolution’ (which you can read here) serves as a short and eloquent reminder to stop giving yourself such a hard time about aging and be grateful that you are lucky enough to be able to do so.

Championing self-acceptance and female resilience, I’ve been in love with McNish’s work since seeing her perform her poetry live. She brings laughter, tears, and some much-needed self-reflection. She also provides the light-hearted social commentary you didn’t know you (or your younger self) needed. Go and get your hands on a copy of Plum, or if you need a bit more convincing, check out her YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/holliemcnish) I promise you’ll be inspired!

Some Bechdel Book Club Questions:

1.    What advice would you give to your 12-year-old-self if you could?
2.    Try and scribble down a short poem (OK- this isn’t actually a question, you got me) and keep it somewhere secret to read in 5 years’ time.
3.    What would you want your older self to remember most about how you’re feeling right now?