I read the word:
Lovers
and think
there will never
be space for me
I have for children
and nothing to spare
there will be
no midnight trysts
except to calm nightmares
no aphrodisiac
except frozen food
that's all I've time
to make
so they can eat
They made sure of this
I made sure of this
Did I make sure of this? I'm not sure.
Those pro lifers
created an organization
of living
hell
motherhood is not a calling
It is a sentence
and you may
not survive
Constantly admonished
to think of blessing
to offer sacrifice
to die
to care for all
but one self
So I've decided
not to be
a mother
or a lover
or a maid
or a cook
or a chef
or a warrior, volunteer, go-getter, doer, be present-er, organizer,
better or worse
I'll just be me.
They will be they.
And little child
all one two three four
of you
At one three six seven
will see
your me
and we'll learn
to love
our selves
Together