Young Writers Society

Text Version:

They said motherhood was a blessing, a garden where life blossoms from my bones,
where tiny hands would reach for me like I was their sky,
where love would spill out of me so full, that I’d never know hunger again.

I am a vessel, once overflowing with dreams and names and wild ambition,
now emptied to make room for you.
I gave you my body, and it became a home—
but where did I go? Where do I live now?

I love you with every breath in my chest,
but sometimes I wonder what it feels like to inhale for myself.
To take a moment and not feel the tug of your needs
wrapping around my ribs, pulling me back, back to the endless giving,
to the cycle of days that blur into nights
that carry my exhaustion like a white surrender flag.

They say I’m supposed to cherish this, but no one talks about the mourning—
the funeral for the woman who used to live here. I miss her sometimes,
even when you smile at me with the sun in your eyes,
even when you call my name like it’s the only word that matters.

I am your mother.
I am your world.
But somewhere inside this giving heart,
there is a woman still searching for her name,
still searching for a home that belongs to her alone.

And I wonder—
can I be both?
Or will I always be lost in the beauty of you?

Oy, this reminds me of something I could have written when I was reeling with post partum depression... like, logically, I know that infancy eventually ends and things get better eventually, but like... those first couple months with a newborn are just brutal since you're still recovering from just giving birth, but also you can't rest because you're constantly in demand and needed all the time and just... it's a lot sometimes. It can definitely be overwhelming...

Also, you would think that it would get easier with more children... since, like I said, logically I know that infancy eventually ends and things get better... but also it gets more complicated because you have an infant who demands you 100% of a time... but a child/ren that you also need to take care of, and also everything else you need to do for yourself, and it's like an impossible juggling act. Even with a massive support system, it can be overwhelming at times.

...like, this is going to sound bad, but everybody is concerned about labor and delivery being painful... and it is... but like. You're kind of in a hospital room, getting waited on and treated nicely??? And if you need any help, you can just press a button and a nurse will come and help. I don't know... I always feel like I'm spoiled when I visit the hospital. The real work begins when you get home. And it's a lot.

...anyway. That's what this poem reminded me of. XD Being a mom is... hard. If this is you, I want to encourage you to get help, if you can, and to remember to take some time for yourself. I know it's hard sometimes, but you know how in aircraft, you're supposed to put the oxygen mask on yourself before you take care of your kid? Sometimes that needs to happen. So like... one of the things that I needed to do to take care of myself was to just... block off some time to write, because that's how I needed to unwind. Even if that means I need to put the baby in his crib, turn on Bluey for the kids, and just have some time to myself to write. So, please try to make some time for yourself! You don't want to burn yourself out! And remember... things will get better. <3

Anyway! The poem!

Just something weird that I notice... one of the odd things about this poem is how you have the narrator talking about becoming a home, yet searching for a home. It's kind of a strange juxtaposition if you think about it... you would think that being a home would mean that you were always home... except clearly that isn't really the case? I don't know. It just kind of stuck out at me.

...okay. This is kind of a terrible review. Sorry! If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. ^^

Hai :3

You're killing it with the poetry!! It's like I'm always reading something from you!!

Like here, this is soooo powerful!! I’m in love with the way you capture the complexity of motherhood, the love, the exhaustion, the sense of loss. It’s like you’re peeling back the layers of something so beautiful but also so deeply draining, and that’s what makes this hit so hard!! I don't personally have experience with kids, but this puts me in the position of someone who does; that's immensely hard to capture in words, but you did it!! I think that's truly an ability to be envious of.

The way you explore this loss of identity, how the narrator feels like they’ve given so much that there’s nothing left for them is so gorgeous ~~ That’s such a raw and relatable emotion!! It's really bittersweet considering what this poem is about, but I feel like that's something people always overlook. Society doesn't let mothers feel anything but positive about being a mother. Like I said, I'm not the most familiar with all of this, but I'm sure it's not easy to have to give up everything!!

Motherhood was a blessing, a garden where life blossoms from my bones

The funeral for the woman who used to live here

there is a woman still searching for her name,
still searching for a home that belongs to her alone.

And I wonder—
can I be both?
Or will I always be lost in the beauty of you?

Motherhood is a profoundly unique experience for every woman, shaping her identity in ways that extend far beyond the initial experience of giving birth. While many celebrate its beauty, the often-unspoken challenges and sacrifices that come with being a mother are frequently overlooked. The journey transforms a woman into a mother, a role that remains with her for life, encompassing both joy and hardship.

Entire poem was beautifully presented...but the last two paragraphs were another level. Really CAN'T WE BE BOTH.

Motherhood is a profoundly unique experience for every woman, shaping her identity in ways that extend far beyond the initial experience of giving birth. While many celebrate its beauty, the often-unspoken challenges and sacrifices that come with being a mother are frequently overlooked. The journey transforms a woman into a mother, a role that remains with her for life, encompassing both joy and hardship.

Entire poem was beautifully presented...but the last two paragraphs were another level. Really CAN'T WE BE BOTH.