Naiad Blood, a first collection of poetry by Sarah C. Beckmann, describes the story of a young woman who discovers herself in the sport of rowing-although she grew up near the sea, she falls in love with boats and the water all over again, in a whole new way. Crew not only provides her with an avenue for personal growth, but also alters her outlook on life. Taking creative inspiration from Greek myths and other cultural ideas around womanhood, Naiad Blood acknowledges social norms and issues that women face, and also directly challenges them. These poems embrace change, freedom, and power; they demonstrate that women should be able to engage with masculinized realms-to gain muscle or cut off their hair. And these poems are also an ode to the sport itself, to the magical and spiritual aura that the experience of being in a boat, and being on the water lends.
