The Widow’s Crayon Box: A Detailed Review – Johns Hopkins University Hub

When you think of widowhood, what color comes to mind? Black might be the default, but those who have experienced it know it’s a rainbow of emotions. Molly Peacock captures this spectrum in “The Widow’s Crayon Box,” a collection of poems reflecting on loss and love.

In this book, Peacock paints vivid pictures with her words, from “the green of love removed” to “the ire of loss ignited—burnt sienna.” Her poems are not just about death but also celebrate the life she shared with her late husband, Michael Groden.

Divided into four parts, the collection moves through stages of grief and remembrance. In “Touched,” Peacock grapples with her husband’s passing, alternating between heart-wrenching and humor. She doesn’t shy away from the messy reality of grief, embracing mortality with lyrical grace.

Through her poems, Peacock invites readers to mourn alongside her, offering a raw and unfiltered look at loss. It’s a reminder that grief is complex, personal, and deeply felt. “The Widow’s Crayon Box” is a moving tribute to love and loss, rendered in beautiful, messy, and indelible terms.