Oh sweet Mama, you are not alone

a love poem for my fellow Mamas

You wake up for the nth time at night

Your body aches for more rest

It is too early to get up yet too late to snooze

Sweet morning noises come from the tiny body on your chest

So, this is it. Another day lets loose

Oh sweet Mama, you are not alone.

Every day feels the same

No weekend, no holiday

Time is a mysterious concept

Days too long and nights too short

You count down minutes until bedtime

Yet weeks and months pass you by like a fly

Oh sweet Mama, you are not alone.

Your body, always in the service of others, is now a stranger

Clothes don’t fit, stains prevail

And for the first time ever, you actually don’t care

How many days it has been since you last washed your hair

Oh sweet Mama, you are not alone.

Little limbs are constantly on you

Snouts to be cleaned, mouths to be wiped, hands to be washed

Hugs to be given and songs to be sung

Your terrible voice has never been more admired

Nor your stretch marks or saggy boobs

Everything you hate about yourself is loved and desired

Oh sweet Mama, you are not alone.

You miss feeling free

Traveling and dining out in glee

Using your brain, adult conversation

Wearing white pants and long earrings are history

Oh sweet Mama, you are not alone.

Guilt is a constant companion

You feel guilty for working

You feel guilty for staying home

For producing too little milk or feeding candy

For screen time or losing your temper easily

Oh sweet Mama, you are not alone.

You have never been so intimate

Yet felt so isolated

Life flows on the outside

But inside you are invisible

You want to look for support from others

But are afraid of judgement

Oh sweet Mama, you are not alone.

You are not alone, sweet Mama, my beautiful sister

I see you

I hear you

I feel you

I LOVE you.