Maria Shriver, renowned journalist and author, recently unveiled her debut poetry collection, “I Am Maria.” The book, a deeply personal exploration of love, loss, and self-discovery, has been met with considerable interest, but the journey to publication wasn’t without its anxieties. In a candid interview, Shriver admitted to feeling “scary” about sharing such intimate work with the world.
The cover of the book itself holds significant meaning. It features a childhood photo of Shriver with her beloved pony, Miss Buck. This choice, she explains, was deeply symbolic. Miss Buck represented unconditional love—a sentiment that runs through the heart of the poems themselves. The collection delves into themes of longing, loneliness, and the transformative power of love in its various forms: romantic, familial, and the crucial love for oneself.
Shriver explains that poetry became a vital tool in her personal journey of self-discovery and healing. It served as an outlet following the loss of her parents and the end of her long marriage to Arnold Schwarzenegger. Initially hesitant to share her work publicly, she eventually found the courage to do so after hearing similar stories from others, reinforcing the universality of her experiences.
The poems within “I Am Maria” are designed to resonate with readers’ own searches for belonging and self-acceptance. Shriver poignantly describes the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of seeking external validation as being on a “hamster wheel forever.” She argues that true liberation comes from self-love, self-acceptance, and forgiveness—a message central to her work.
Despite having published seven books previously, Shriver admits to feeling apprehensive about releasing her poetry. The vulnerability inherent in the poems made the prospect daunting. Yet, she emphasizes that the greater risk was to remain silent, to avoid the potential for criticism or rejection. This echoes a recurring theme in her life: facing her fears head-on, whether it’s anchoring a news broadcast, conducting a major interview, or navigating the complexities of marriage and divorce.
One particularly poignant section of the book includes poems dedicated to each of her four children, written on their 18th birthdays. Shriver initially debated including these intensely personal pieces but ultimately decided that they formed an integral part of her life story. These poems offer a glimpse into her maternal perspective, expressing her hopes and visions for their futures.
While her eldest daughter, Katherine, has read and approved of the collection, Shriver playfully admits she isn’t waiting on the verdict of the others. She expresses a newfound sense of peace and self-acceptance, no longer seeking external validation for her creative work. Shriver hopes that readers will connect with the underlying message: that creativity resides within everyone, regardless of perceived artistic skill. She views her poetic journey as another path in her diverse and accomplished career, embracing the opportunities for growth and self-expression that each new endeavor offers.
