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