I Am Mother

By: Rachel M Pauley

i was made strong;

i will cradle you close between these breasts
press your ear to my heart
so you may hear the steady thud beneath my flesh

these hips were made to suffer through
childbirth to bring you forth into this cruel world
steady and strong to withstand the pain
of you being born

these feet will wade through your tears
when your fears threaten to steal your soul
and darkness weighs heavily on your little mind
i will walk through fire to make sure you're safe

my fingers will wipe away the bumps and scrapes
tend to the bleeding little wounds with care and love
kisses will be planted upon growing knees
i'll tuck you into bed at night
read you stories of heroes and villains and fairy princesses
who always end up with their princes

i will pick up the pieces of your broken heart
when you come from school
with tears in your eyes and hold you close
as you tell me about your first love

these shoulders will carry you when you
are too weak and tired to continue onward
hold you close to weather the storms and rain
bear the burdens of your aches and pains
and one day i'll stand in doorways
to watch you leave

i was made strong,
i am mother.