Maternity

Dear Defenseless,

I am a mother.

Not in the biological sense,

No.

But maternity is not merely defined

By biology.

Maternity is defined by

Preoccupations and instincts,

By priorities and intuition,

By elation and despair.

I am a mother

Without a child—

Except in a sense

That child is you.

For you

I have lost nights of sleep.

For you

I have cried

Until my tear ducts ran dry.

For you

I have summoned an image

Of fortitude and control.

When one would drop a life’s work

In a heartbeat,

When one would lose all humility

All dignity

All shame

To ensure you are respected and protected,

When your life is the only life that matters—

That’s when one is most vulnerable

And one’s maternity

Comes to light—

Just as it did mine.

I am a mother.

Not because of biology

But because of instincts

Fortitude

And vulnerability.

I am a mother for you

And for you

There is nothing I wouldn’t do.

Signed,

Love without Bound