What I Know of Motherhood
Motherhood isn't merely the creation
the manufacturing
the procuring
or the desire of a child.
Motherhood isn't the
late-night feedings
nestled on the sofa
creating that secretarial banquet table
upon that paunch
once called a stomach
and admitting that you
are now a dairy farm-
milked and saturated in
hormones.
and it sure isn't
waking up with a five-year-old's toe
shoved into your nostril
or the conquest of small tribe
climbing up the curtains with
each tug of your hair.
Motherhood isn't about
that tribe swarming
investigating
plotting a takeover
as they play
King of the Mountain-
the rolling hills
form more often
over the bridge
upon every stern syllable
warning-
"That will be e-nough!",
that ultimately goes
unheeded until...
"Wait until your father gets home."
Motherhood isn't
when disaster strikes-
the late night phone calls
to groggy pediatricians
for the correct dosage
of infant gas medicine,
Tylenol,
Albuterol,
cough and cold medicines.
Motherhood isn't the
near-death experiences
of a child on a tricycle;
helmet
knee pads
arm pads
bubble wrap
caution tape-
running full sprint with heaving chests
the .002 miles per hour
until you reach
defcon 1.
Motherhood isn't the first kiss
of a six-year-old girl
running off the bus
at Mach 3 speeds
lips in soft smile
basking in the first taste
of kindergarten love-
while you contemplate
the first piece
to oil in your arsenal.
Motherhood is not the tantrums,
the bouts of depression
the bouts of tiny fists
screaming,
flailing,
tears large enough
to shame Lake Superior,
fists
claws
teeth
shards of anger
penetrating
with each ear bleeding howl
when the last bite is refused
at dinner.
Motherhood are the hugs
the late night talks
about nothing
and everything
the make-believe wonders
of imaginary friends.
its the subtle quiet of peaceful eyes
fluttering in dreams-
the gentle weight of
two hearts pressed against the other
after a bad dream.
Its the nonsensical made-up words
that is your secret language
of love-
Motherhood isn't a single one thing-
it is everything
its the creation of your own heartbeat
the manufacturing of your extension
the procuring of unconditional love
and the desire that they
are better prepared for it
than you.
© 2014 J. V. Stanley
