Motherhood

a published poem

The first time I knew I could kill
the first time no one else mattered
the first time that love underpinned all
no option to walk away.

Child, I have loved many people,
gone the second mile so many times
given everything I had, been unconditional,
then I gave birth to you.

You became my world, everything was you
a love I cannot describe, stronger than death
instincts I’d never known, strength I never had
came to me when you were born.

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