the women who chose to be a mother
but their bodies cannot.
You are a mother.
I honor and bow to the women who can only serve love for meals.
Your heart so boundless in courage.
I honor and bow to
those mothers weary from the night
wondering if your child would come home.
I honor and bow to
the women who gave birth by adoption’s papers.
Your pregnancy an act of grace. I honor and bow to
the women who chose not to be a mother
your decision I cannot judge. I honor and bow to
the women who read, talk, and play with their children
no matter their ages. I honor and bow to Women and men raising their children alone. You are both mother and father. I honor and bow to the women at the threshold of their children becoming adults. Their moving out never empties the heart.
I honor and bow to
the mother school teachers and their infinite passion
such a brief time and then to let go.
I honor and bow to
the women who know not the hug of their child.
Death’s snatch much too early. I honor and bow to the mothers whose touch we miss. Absence of a hug cannot negate the heart’s holding. I honor and bow to the women who have lost their memory of being a mother. I doubt not the heart remembers what the mind cannot. I honor and bow to the mothers alone this day hoping, but not expecting, a call. May these simple words hold the pain in your heart. I honor and bow to the motherhood of all non-human mothers. Your motherhood brief but never lacking in fierce love.
I honor and bow to
Gaia, the mother of us all
who loves even though shunned. I honor and bow to
all women for the courage to nurture and love.
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