This is a nostalgic look back at the many sides of motherhood. A toast to all the mothers out there and all they do!
Thanks for coming by to read.
Waking at a whimper.
Nursing in the night.
Like my mother’s mother’s mother
Did, by candlelight.
Picking up the messes.
Dressing girls and boys.
Combing tangled tresses.
Calming boisterous noise.
Feeding hungry legions.
Cleaning, what’s been thrown.
Sweeping, sweeping, always sweeping.
Never quite alone.
Hauling toys to donate,
Favorites, now rejected.
Praying fiercely in the storm
That they may stay protected.
Endless, endless laundry.
Never sitting down.
Fears of losing one, or two,
On travels into town.
Watching, while they lengthen,
And from their shackles burst.
Their needs exceed my remit, but
I’m always Mother, first.
Copyright 2021 Andrea LeDew
For another take on womanhood, read Maid, Mother, Crone.
For a tribute to my own mother, read The Voyage.
A wonderful tribute to motherhood! I enjoyed it.
Thank you Liz. So much important work goes unseen, unrespected and unpaid. The moms (and dads who step in, to do a traditional mom’s job) deserve our respect!
You’re welcome, Andrea. Moms and dads definitely deserve our respect.