Shows Up Late With Coffee

by Elysse Wagner

Genres: Poetry

142 pages, Paperback

Published April 28, 2026

Reviews

[Lauren]

I was instantly drawn to this book at a book fair in Minneapolis. I just knew I had to have it! This collection of poems brought me so many tears of happiness, grief, and everything in between. I saw myself in each poem and was instantly reminded of all the sweet (and painful and exhausting) moments of the earliest years of motherhood. I'll be sharing and recommending this book to all the moms I know.

Gentle note that early pregnancy loss does come up in the author's note to readers and in at least one poem.

[Liz Newman]

“Shows Up Late With Coffee” is a must-have poetry collection for your own personal library and for all your mom friends. Its poems are so deeply relatable, capturing the essence of motherhood with profound honesty and laugh-out-loud humor. You’ll feel so seen in the pages of this book. 💙

[Ellen FitzGerald]

I sort of stumbled on this collection of poetry because I saw a reel from the author of one of the poems therein and I immediately pre-ordered it for me and a friend. I found this to be the absolute sweetest little book with lovely commentary on motherhood and raising babies (and toddlers). I laughed. I cried. I loved it.

[Morgan]

I absolutely adored this collection of poems!! My sister in law gave me this for my birthday and I found myself not wanting it to end. The poems are so relatable and I know I will re-read this. I even bought a friend who is expecting this for her shower because I think she will love it too!

[Kassondra Mangione]

Laugh-out-loud funny and relatable. Absolutely loved getting to know Elysse through her poetry.

[Megan Gunyou]

I laughed and cried. This is the perfect little collection of poems full of the realness and chaos and beauty of motherhood 💙

[Jessica Perilman]

Love, love, LOVE this book! I read a few poems after bedtime every night for weeks. Can’t wait to read her next book. ❤️