Mantle of Motherhood

by Cheryl Merrick


It begins with nausea and tiredness
  which turn into smiles as small kicks assure 
  of a healthy baby growing within.
Having passed through the birth ordeal,
you feel a new depth of joy as you
hold your child tenderly in your arms


Love grows as you truly become a mother,
Experiencing both soft pink moments of bliss
and gray leaden hours of exhaustion,
Smudgy hugs and ear splitting tantrums,
Joyful days filled with exciting firsts
and anxious nights caring for a sick child.

Knowing another life is dependent on your care,
You carefully hold their hand,
trying to protect your children
from the dangers you see all around them.
Your time is spent teaching and training
as you try and nurture their spirits.
Never have you felt so needed,
or such a weight of responsibility.
Diligent and ever Vigilant
You now wear 
the Mantle of Motherhood