labour pains

how many times did mothers lie

about the pain of pushing a new

born from their joyful cries

how many seeds did mothers, weary

of planting in their first trimester

hide away then finally bury

how many mothers washed the sandy soil,

then begged first-time husbands to cook their

offspring's seafood boil

how many times did mothers say

no still births of teenage dreams

as weeds grew in their way

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