for my daughter, Maya Lou Hawke, born 3.10.10.
at various times / after
my daughter wz born
my mother wd say
sleep while the baby is sleeping
sleep while the baby is sleeping
she'd call / sing-song insistent
in that no-nonsense
west indian woman way
of us all
sleep while the baby is sleeping
bt it wz quite some time
before i realised / these words
were not about shut-eye between feeds
sleep while the baby is sleeping
wasn't saying what it seemed / but
as well as we bear our children
us women must also learn
to dream
spoken word 'bourne
Hello Maxine,
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading along, I, like you, thought I knew what mother was saying. But no, it wasn't that at all. Good work, I could hear her "sing-song insistent in that no-nonsense
west indian woman way
of us all
Now, where have you been?! I wanted to tell you THANK YOU. Gil Scott Heron is on Parole is proudly being displayed in my home. I didn't know if I should actually read it, or just show if off. I didn't want to disturb the quality/newness of the pages, but I broke down, promising to myself that I would hold the book as if it were a new born baby. A hot tube of bath water was our destination.
So true! Wonderful poem Maxine.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Maxine. Really beautiful
ReplyDeleteMazal Tov we say.
This is wonderful. I cannot wait to share it with my sister, who just had her first child. This is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back Maxine! I've missed you tremendously. This is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Maxine, to you and your family. Here's to many pleasant dreams.
ReplyDeletea fabulous poem, maxine, and an awesome sentiment
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful Maxine, like a lullaby of advice. Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl. Sleep while she's sleeping so you can share each other's dreams x
ReplyDeleteTrue talk! Amazing poem Maxine, love it :)
ReplyDeleteTake care
Marinela x
So glad to see you back Maxine. Hope little Maya is doing well & happy. What does her big brother think of her? :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Maxine... such beautiful words.
ReplyDeleteThanks all for your well-wishes and congratulations. It's a little hard to keep up with posting here at the moment, but I'm getting back to it!
ReplyDeleteCarey - glad you liked the book. Sorry it took so long to reach you - I was busy making me & having me a baby!
Tina - big brother is besotted. He says he loves baby so much he wants to marry her. We explained that this may not be, ahem, quite legal or appropriate :)
Congratulations Maxine.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful poem for mothers!!