Today, people in the UK celebrate the strength of a mother. We appreciate how sacrificial, powerful, and instrumental she is in our lives…

Yet, this poem approaches motherhood from a slightly different angle. This is a piece about her strength, but it is about her humanity as well. 

It culminates in the revelation of the Source of that strength which we love to celebrate & admire.

Happy Mother’s Day!

MOTHER’S SECRETS

***

Many times, mama must say ‘no’ to her child

Although “yes” is pressing to escape her mind

Yet, at times mama must say ‘yes’ even though

She would feel less pain if she could say ‘no’…

 

Yes, at times, mama must reveal her anger

For true peace to begin and for chaos to cease

Yet, most times, mama needs to remain silent,

So she can be heard and so she can hear…

 

Many times, mama has to wait for her child,

Even though that child is already late… Then,

Sometimes mama needs to push rather hard,

So late consequences don’t have final say…

 

There are times mama needs to die for her child,

So the fruit of her love can survive and thrive. Yet,

Sometimes mama needs to first save her own life,

So she’s there, full of strength to keep baby alive…

 

Sometimes,

Being a mother seems more difficult than…

It seems sometimes…

 

A true mother must be brave and selfless

Must be assertive, yet kind at the same time

She must be strong, beautiful, loving…

Responsible, present and caring…, but I…

 

Sometimes, I was selfish and not very sane –

None of which is surely a good mother’s way…

Sometimes, it seems  like I don’t have what it takes

Which I don’t anyway – surely not in myself

 

But then, He comes with His Motherliness…

Surrounding me, overwhelming with help

And I keep pressing on, and again, I excel…

Although yet again, sometimes seem to fail

 

Truly, a mother cannot be a good mother,

Without much of Him within much of her

 

I… don’t qualify for your idol, baby…

Yet…, allow me…

I’ll show you where your faith should rest

 

I do not want you to be my clone, little girl

In Him…, In Him… you must be yourself…

In Him, in His time, In His way, little boy

 Walking better, and further I could ever walk.