My niece Came to me one day Picked up a pickle Off the sunny side of the day Climbed up to my lap To press my breasts Her eyes like almonds Enquired about the strange softness I held her dimpled hands And thought about how The clock will smoothen The dimple off that bow And blood would flow From where there were no wounds But blood will flow And blood will leave A trail of womanhood Sprinkled like autumn leaves And some will be breasts Some heartbreaks Some euphoria Some time’s shade But when she feels her hands Upon her chest Away from her heart How I’ll be away Not seeing one life mature In the wake of one to degrade Thanks for reading! If you enjoy Raising Mothers, please consider making a one-time or recurring contribution to help us remain ad-free. If even a fraction of subscribers signed up to contribute $1 per month, Raising Mothers could be self-sustaining!

Have you ever looked so closely at a child’s face that you could see God? Victoria Chang, Obit what if I told you that I am wandering in the wasteland of a war-torn country, desperate to defend my young daughter? or what if I told you that my daughter is the war-torn country, and this is America, this is America and we are in a hospital room for those who want to be protected from themselves? and what if in order to keep the war-torn country on the map I have to convince you it needs saving? maybe where we are, the name of the country, which war, whose daughter, –doesn’t matter. listen to the long gone and the newly dead, their elegy is short and sweet and pleads with us in every language: save her save her is that a clock ticking in the corner or is it a bomb? you should know that a mother determined to keep her child alive can turn anything into a weapon: a clock, a daisy, a prayer, …

I terminated you two days after Mother’s Day, on a Tuesday.  They used terms like “terminate”, instead of “expel” or “kill” or “get rid of”. Makes it seem more humane. The uncomfortable, cold metal forceps, the whirring of the vacuum suction and an empty, clear container. Filled red.  At the end of the procedure, the nurse gave me a juice box and crackers, and instructed me to rest for at least 10 minutes. I scarfed those saltines and graham crackers because I was weak and tired. I’ve learned to use food as comfort, and that’s all I had to soak up the tears that welled up inside of me.  Before I was called into the room, I saw a petite Indian woman enter the waiting room. She was much further along, carrying a large, brown Louis Vuitton bag, and checked in at the reception desk. I felt sad. I felt inadequate. She looked like she could afford having a child. I cannot.  Will I ever be ready to have a child? The doctor explained the …

If I took a walk through your garden, what would I see? Told Mama I forgave her, she turned and said, “Forgive? Girl, what ever do you mean? ‘Tuh. For what could you possibly forgive me?!” It is the first day of month seven and I keep forgettin’ to bring an umbrella every time I step out Even if I did, I’d probably hold it upside down the way men tell you to turn frowns In an effort to catch all the blessings (angelito manifestations; silver linings courier service) falling to us from the sky It is the first day of July It’s ok, Mama, don’t cry. Thanks for reading! If you enjoy Raising Mothers, please consider making a one-time or recurring contribution to help us remain ad-free. If even a fraction of subscribers signed up to contribute $1 per month, Raising Mothers could be self-sustaining!

Some Some mothers Some mothers are black Some mothers are black and Some mothers are black and blue Some mothers are black and blue on Some mothers are black and blue on the Some mothers are black and blue on the outside Some mothers are black and blue on the outside and Some mothers are black and blue on the outside and inside Some mothers are black and blue on the outside and inside and Some mothers are black and blue on the outside and inside and have Some mothers are black and blue on the outside and inside and have to Some mothers are black and blue on the outside and inside and have to choke Some mothers are black and blue on the outside and inside and have to choke back Their Some mothers are black and blue on the outside and inside and have to choke back  Their fury Some mothers are black and blue on the outside and inside and have to choke back Their fury and Some mothers are black and blue …