Liberian Literary Magazine
Promoting Liberian literature, Arts and Culture
SHE
She made one too many
mistakes, for this, she only
gets to see her child from
behind bars. The child
longs for counsel, she
longs for the comfort of a
child’s touch, hug,
cuddle. You are in our
thoughts.
She weeps, she moans,
she feels helpless but
never gives up. She
watches as her child
fades away; snatched by
the cold hands of death.
What is there to live for?
No mother should have to
bury her child. A prayer is
not enough for her. Yet
she finds a way to carry
on and even live. You are
a Goddess.
She is disturbed, this illness
has taken over not just her
child but her mental state
as well, for as long as the
child is sick, the mother is
edgy and sick as well. She
nurses the child to health
risking her own health. For
her, we offer a prayer.
She’s pained, she’s sad;
she’s unable to feed her
children. She watches
them go to bed hungry.
Nothing could be worse,
yet after a restless night,
the next day, she resolves
with renewed hope and
determination, to make it
better. She focuses on
providing meals even if
there is no bed. We carry
you in our hearts.
She can no longer cry.
Tears have dried out. She
has to visit a cemetery
today since her child is
unable to come by or
wish her a happy day. She
dreads the moment when
she sees the name on the
headstone. Sunrise –
Sunset. It pierces her heart
anew for the sun has not
risen nor set since that
heart wrenching news.
She does it all lone, no
help, no dad, no family, at
least not when needed.
She’s a single mom; it is
not a title or badge. She’s
lonely, alone, scared
many ’a times, weighted
by life, but she must carry
on, quitting is not an
option. Whether she raises
1, 2, 4, 7 or 8 kids, it doesn’t
matter. For you mother[s],
we say special
supplications.
They fight and fuss oft, all
the time. Now they barely
speak or see each other.
They haven’t for a while
now. That mother needs
her child; that child needs
the mom back. We say a
prayer for them.
She’s far way. Distance kills
not her love, prayers,
worries, if anything, it
increases it. But there
lingers no doubt that she
remains there, right there.
We remember you
mother
12
She is expecting, anxiety
consumes her; she is both
apprehensive and excited
for the new life she carries.
She knows her life is
changed forever, but she
dares this new word,
unflinchingly. She’s
planned all her life for this
role. She may ace it or not
but she is doing it come
what may. She needs
help so we offer her up to
the ancestors.
She is more than just a
mother to her own; she
caters to every child she
can; her home a constant
refuge for all; safe place
to any who needs. We
hold you in a special
place
She struggles with the
chores of home; juggling
everyone’s needs but
hers; she fights to keep her
marriage and raise her
children; she can’t afford
to slip, she must balance
everything we say a
prayer.
Every mother out there,
you have every reason to
enjoy this day although to
some, this will not be a
time of celebration. There
is too much loss, pain and
sorrows that prevent the
moment of joy. We say,
when things subside, take
the moment to smile,
laugh and appreciate life.
D. Othniel Forte