M.O.T.H.E.R. by Caela Collins

by Caela Collins

(in dedication to my mother Valerie)

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Childhood

M_{^{other, mother there is no}}

O_^ther

T^{_{ogether we share the same color}}

H_^air

E_{^{ven though there’s a lot of}} 

R_^ules

So what I think you’re cool!I Love You!

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Adulthood

M_{^{ost of all, I want to say thank-you. No matter how}}

O_{^{verly elaborate the words of my declaration become, it all muddles down to}} 

T_{^{hose two sweet syllables that represent true unrefined gratefulness.}}

H^{_{ow is it that you manifested my architecture from flesh & bone to the}} 

E_{^{ffervescence of my smile? Maybe you never}} 

R^{_{eally needed me, but it was the}} 

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V_{^{alor of motherhood that}} 

A_{^{ttuned to this}} 

L^{_{ove that’s}} 

E^{_{ntrapped in pure}} 

R_^everence. 

I ^{_{see the same bravery within your heart that chose not to}} 

E_{^{scape the day destiny called upon your glorious name, MOTHER.}} 

I Love you and I’m Thankful for you Mom!

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This piece is part of Breakthrough’s program By & For; An initiative to amplify the lived experiences of creative girls and gender non-conforming youth of color in authentic, nuanced, and respectful ways, and provide them with platforms to share their own creative work, on their own terms. Support By & For here.