You belong here
For those who mother and who are mothered
While it’s the day after, I know Mother’s Day can bring up complex emotions in so many ways. I thought maybe this year I would focus on what it really means to call earth “mother”. A sad quiet part of me used to have a hard time believing we humans deserved earth as mother until I became one. Then I understood.
There are no words to describe this knowing. Still, all of the mothers we’ve ever had and will become live in her. We are from her, and we belong with her. For better or worse.
From a mother, from earth mother, you belong here:
Are you hungry? Are you tired? Do you need a jacket, some water? Of course I’ll carry everything you’ve collected. Of course, I’ll sit in the grass. Do you need a fortress? A fire? Something soft to fall onto? I’ll hold you, hold you together. I’ll hold you forever. Will you always reach for my hand the way you do now? I’ll expand if you need me to. I’ll give if it helps you. I’ll cross every river and face every storm. Is that too much? Too little? Am I guiding you forward or holding you back? You’re green now but in a blink you’ll be older. I’m getting older. This life flickers by faster and faster. One day I’ll leave you. I don’t want to leave you. Can I pause time? Bottle this moment? How do I keep you when nothing lasts?
~ L.E. Bowman
Much love,
Val
P.S. Feel free to share, it’s much appreciated!