A PROCLAMATION ABOUT MOTHERHOOD
Words by Carol Gonzales
I WANT TO DECLARE WHAT I'VE LEARNED TO SHOUT IT OUT LOUD LIKE IXCHEL IN SANDRA CISNEROS' ONE HOLY NIGHT
SAY, "I KNOW".
ABOUT A WOMAN'S STRENGTH
AND HOW IT IS SLOWLY REVEALING ITSELF TO ME
LIKE I'M OPENING UP THE FACE TO A TIMEPIECE
HOW I FELT THIS POWER DEEP BENEATH
IN THE SLUMBERS OF MY SOUL
BUT I LEFT IT THERE
LIKE THE WATERS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA, THIS STRENGTH WAS BELLOWING BELOW ME.
AND NOW, I KNOW.
...HAD TO SUMMON IT UP TO SURVIVE.
THAT LOVE THAT DROVE
MY MAMA TO WASH CLOTHES
AT 12 AM, OUTSIDE, ON THE WESTSIDE
BLACK GUARD DOG AS HER LOOKOUT
WHAT DROVE HER TO NOT OWN HER OWN CAR 'TIL SHE WAS IN HER 60S
BUT MAKING DAMN SURE HER THREE KIDS HAD THEIR OWN SET OF WHEELS
I KNOW.
HOW LOVE ISN'T JUST ABOUT THEIR HAPPINESS
BUT RATHER, ENSURING THEY'RE HEALTHY
AND STAYING UP LATE TO HAVE THOSE "COME BACK TO JESUS" CONVERSATIONS
HOW BLOOD IS THE ONLY THING
THICK ENOUGH TO HOLD YOU TOGETHER
WHEN YOU ARE COMING UNDONE
HOW A MOTHER'S LOVE WILL SHAKE YOU AWAKE EVERY HOUR
TO HOLD HIM
TO NOURISH HIM
HOW THIS KIND OF LOVE IS LIKE THE HOLY SPIRIT ENTERING THE BODY AND YOU OFFERING YOURSELF LIKE A SACRIFICE
LEMME TELL IT, I KNOW.