“The Dark Side of Motherhood” by Sylvia Plath
I have had a fantasy, which was not a fantasy
Of the endearing face’s, so pale and dark
It was a thing that made me inexpressibly pleased with torment
What’s more, made me wish that I could kick the bucket
I thought about every one of the times I’d been
A mother, savage and cold as stone
I thought about every one of the times I’d hurt
My youngster, with words that cut like bone
I thought about every one of the times I’d been
A mother, visually impaired and hard of hearing and quiet
I thought about every one of the times I’d fizzled
My youngster, and passed on them to their destiny
I thought of all the times I’d been
A mother, selfish and alone
I thought of all the times I’d used
My child, as a tool to make me whole
I thought of all the times I’d been
A mother, angry and afraid
I thought of all the times I’d been
A mother, and felt so ashamed
Poem:
“The Mother’s Regret” by Tracy K. Smith
Oh, the things I’ve done, oh, the things I’ve said
In the heat of anger, in the depths of my head
I’ve spoken words that cut like knives
And left my child with scars that won’t subside
I’ve been so tired, so worn and thin
From the demands of parenting, from the weight within
I’ve snapped at my child, and bitten my tongue
And wondered why they don’t understand me, why they’re not strong
I’ve been so angry, so frustrated and blue
From the mess and chaos that’s always anew
I’ve raged at my child, and made them cry
And felt so guilty, as I watched them wonder why
Poem:
“The Unseen” by Warsan Shire
There is no calm in this turbulence
No stillness in this stormy silence
The mother’s hands are always moving
But her eyes are still on the ground
The mother’s voice is always speaking
But her words are lost in the sound
Of her own heartbeat, pounding loud
As she searches for a way to calm it down
The mother’s soul is always screaming
But her cry is drowned out by the noise
Of her own doubts and fears and dreams
As she searches for a way to heal the seams
Poem:
“Mother” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Gracious, mother dear, you who have given me life
Also, showed me how to live it, struggle by difficulty
You who have directed me through each test
Also, assisted me with viewing as my best
You who have shown me love and care
Also, assisted me with developing unparalleled
You who have remained by me through each trepidation
What’s more, cleaned away my tears
Gracious, mother dear, I know you’re noticeably flawed as well
Yet, your affection for me has owned me
