All I See Is You: Poetry & Proses for a Mothers Heart

by Jessica Urlichs

"Oh, how the days are long it’s true
Yesterdays are many
But todays are a few
So I'll fill them up
With all of you
And simply be,
Here,
With You."

'All I See Is You', captures the heartfelt and honest moments of early motherhood.

Jessica's words encompass the highs and the lows, the raw and the vulnerable and everything in between. It's the kind of book you want on your bedside sitting next to the bottles or breast pump.

This book of 60 poems and proses will take mothers on a journey of healing and growth with a powerful affirmation that you are not alone. A popular gift around the world for expectant mother's, new mother's and mothers with grown children. There are words in here for everyone.

"These words gave me comfort when I was struggling" - Rachel Platten (Singer)

“Jessica found a way to put into words the very soul of motherhood’.

"This writer writes as though she's taken the words out of every mother's head... the feelings that most mothers will experience but can't always express. So relatable, so beautiful, sometimes funny and often emotional, I challenge you not to get teary eyed!"

Jessica's poetry books have sold over 50,000 copies worldwide. 'All I See Is You', is Jessica's second in her collection of poetry, with 'From One Mom to a Mother' being first, and 'My After All', her final in the early motherhood series.

Jessica is also a best selling author of 'The Rainbow In My Heart', a picture book on emotions, with 'My Superpowers' available soon.

Jess's poems can also be found on Etsy!

The Paperback version doesn't include the bonus pages of additional poems, see the hardback option.

Genres: Poetry, Parenting, Nonfiction

107 pages, Paperback

Published November 9, 2020

About the author

Jessica is an author and poet who lives in New, Zealand with her husband and three young children.

Jessica Urlichs started her journey on Instagram (@jessurlichs) before becoming a published author.
Jessica has written three poetry books on early motherhood in her collection, and now a Sunday Times Bestseller 'Beautiful Chaos' an anthology with Penguin Books, plus International no #1 bestseller 'You Hung The Moon' with Hachette NZ.
Jessica has also written a variety of children's books to help our young ones navigate their emotions and realise their superpowers.

Her books continue to grace the homes of thousands around the world and have proven to make a very popular gift for mothers at all stages of their journey, resonating mostly on early motherhood, with her most popular poem of all time, 'All I See Is You'.

Jessica's books have sold over 300,000 copies worldwide.

Find more from Jessica at www.jessicaurlichs.com

Reviews

[Heather Louie · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time I've sobbed through an entire book.

[Jenny Laird · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to rate a book of poems. Some 5 star, some 2 star.

[Mel (Daily Prophecy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some sentences hit me, some pages don’t do anything for me. The ones that do, I can read over and over, so overall a good read.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter is 5 weeks old and already I’m realising that nobody really talks about the not-so-fun parts of motherhood. The way the walls feel like they’re closing in when you’re exhausted and breastfeeding your baby at 3am. The way you cry along with your baby when you’ve exhausted all options on how to soothe them. The way you’re expected to just get on with it because “you should be grateful!”

I began following Jess when I was pregnant and since giving birth I’ve totally resonated with her writing. The writing in this book had me in tears. Tears that made me go “holy shit, I’m not alone”.

I highly recommend this to all mothers. 10/10 will make you cry but also 10/10 will make you realise you’re an amazing mother who is doing her best.

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was roughly four months postpartum when I found the title poem ‘All I See Is You’ and it was gut-wrenching, poignant, I could barely read the words out loud. I was deep in the throes of motherhood and it all felt like a wave I couldn’t breach the surface of. I was then given this collection as a gift from my mother-in-law without her prior knowledge of how incredibly invaluable the title poem had been at aiding me through such a difficult time in my journey as a new mother. No, not every poem, or prose, spoke to me with the same amount of gravity, but then again not every mother’s journey is the same. The pieces, however, that were heavy for me carried a weight I will not soon forget.

[Aniece Futch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this because I read a poem the author posted on Instagram. I was crying. I decided to read the whole thing. Like maybe 2 poems in the whole book are actually good. The rest is just…thrown together. Spare me.

[Iris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poetry about motherhood is something I've been enjoying since becoming a mother. This is the second book by Jessica Urlichs I read and I must say, quite some poems speak to me:
- Blink and you'll miss it
- Dear friend
- Not everyday day is beautiful
- Deep feelings
- Motherhood's contradiction
- It's all a bit quick
- Today I met my match
- Mum friends (made me cry!)
- Sensitive boy
- Stop complaining
- The little things
- These are the moments
- Our love story
- with you
- All I see is you

[Rhi Fenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this authors poems! They hit this Momma heart just right. They are real real! They make me realize all my feels and momma emotions are totally normal! That we all go through alllll the feeeels!!

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

After loving Jessica Urlichs' first collection of poems and prose, From One Mom to a Mother, I read this second collection over a period of a few weeks to savour each piece. I also needed many moments to gather myself after the series of emotional punches that Urlichs' writing throws at the reader.

Urlichs has a real talent for capturing the raw emotional journey of early motherhood and the cocktail of feelings it can stir up in any given day. There were some poems which left me feeling guilty for not appreciating the smaller and fleeting moments of having young children more, but then over the page will be another poem that perfectly portrays how difficult that can be in the busy haze of daily life.

Both collections I have read feel like must-haves for any new parent and bring so much comfort and validation. I don't know if I am ready for Urlichs' third collection but I am looking forward to it all the same.

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully raw, but a little repetitive

This book is a warm, gentle hug for any mama in the thick of it 🤱🏼❤️ Jessica Urlichs captures the highs and lows of motherhood with honesty, tenderness, and vulnerability. Some poems were so captivating and hit so close to home, I found myself clenching my heart — like she had plucked the words straight from my soul 💔🥹

There are beautiful reminders throughout — that we’re not alone, that the little moments matter, and that motherhood is both everything and nothing like we imagined ✨🍼 But after a while, the poems started to feel a bit same-same. The themes, tone, and rhythm didn’t change much, and I found myself craving a bit more variety and depth 📖

Still, this collection is perfect for dipping into during nap time or those quiet, reflective moments with a cup of tea ☕👣 It’s not a literary masterpiece, but it is heartfelt, relatable, and soothing for the tired mama heart 💕

[Sabina Colleran · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I could go 3.5 stars I would.
To finish this collection today was a blessing, since I had a hard mama evening. The title poem is the last poem, and it serves as a needed reminder of what we are really doing here. This is her second book that I've read and she does have a knack for saying what we are thinking, for putting so clearly the struggle and tug of war that is motherhood. She is real but not negative.
The reason I didn't rate this higher is really a commentary on the dangers of self publishing. I really think that she would shine so much more with a really good editor. I came across several grammatical errors and so many of the pieces had "good bones" nut needed to be polished.
If you're a mama of young ones, you'll certainly gain from this collection and I do recommend it.

[Montse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aiñ me hizo llorar, suspirar, sonreir y reflexionar sobre lo maravilloso que es ser mamá. Jessica no me dijo nada que no supiera, sino que transformó tantas emociones, TANTAS, en palabras. Me hizo ver que no soy la única, y que la culpa, la falta de paciencia, los gritos, etc son males comunes en la maternidad... así como todo el amor en mil y un formas es el bien mayor. Me encantó, se lo recomiendo a todas las mamás o mom-to-be's.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this short gem of a collection of poems (and prose) about motherhood. She has quite the way to capture both profound and simple aspects of early motherhood, lots of richness in these pages. Plenty to come back to later. Great to gift a new mom (or even a third time new mom ha! Probably plenty I could appreciate in a different way reading it now).

[Kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incomplete list of things about this collection that made my eyes water:

“Some days I wish away, oh and the guilt from feeling that when they grow so fast.”

The entire poem “My First Love.”

“Sometimes I stare at you and already see the outline of the man you’re going to be.”

“I’ve wished away hard days and I hate that I’ve wished away anything with you in it.”

[Sneha Khasgiwale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just gets you every time! As a young family living through chaos of a newborn and a preschooler, I’ve savoured every page. It has brought tears, smile and everything in between. Loved my purchase, bought the remaining two books as well.. they are next in my reading list. I’ll be coming back to this one.

[caitys.booknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful.

[Kristyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sweetest book of poems for a mama. Nothing better to read than this in those first few days postpartum or when you’re in those hard messy mama days!

[Paula Clever · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it ❤

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching book of poems and prose on topics close to the heart of a mother of young kids. I normally don’t read poetry but I really connected to this.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many interesting reflections that makes you feel in good company. Some not shared, but still interesting to see different reactions in motherhood

[Christina Novakowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wow! I cried the whole time! This author touches your heart in all the ways you need as a new mom❤️

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Jess writes down all the eight feelings about motherhood. The love, the struggles, the joy. All of it.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

this one hit me even harder than the first book 😭💗

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful poetry about postpartum and motherhood.

[Morgan Weilbacher-Fox · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 stars My favorite poem was “Almost Two” considering I have an almost two year old. I’m not a poetry girl, but this was sweet.

[Amy Rozema · Rating 4 out of 5]

About vulnerability in motherhood, don't read in the 4th trimester of you don't want to cry. Otherwise a very good read!

[Ariana Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed. Her poem “All I See is You” got me through more newborn nights than I can count. Loved it so much I got it tattooed on me to see every day 🩷

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poetry is a very personal thing, but for me there's a lot of sludge to get through to find the great stuff. I recommend Jessica's Instagram instead where she seems to highlight the best of her work.

[Kristen Rosario · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every word of this book! Each poem felt like the words of my heart. I will return to this collection again and again.

[Beth Nicoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing Quality
10/10
Character Development
7/10
"Couldn't Put It Down"-ness
9/10
Intellectual Depth
10/10
Originality
8/10

Things I enjoyed about All I see is you:
A must read for all new mothers. I sobbed dramatically at most of these poems.

Other notes:
This author takes how you're feeling and puts it into words. A master of linguistics. So heartfelt.