Ring of fire; pushing still
Pain and gasping, lights, a scream
Pushing, pushing, pushing till
A breath, a cry, a gasp, a life
Strength of God, awake, alive
Destiny born by a doctor’s knife
Hearts are melting, photos taken
Spotlight is on, center of attention
To coos and gurgles I awaken
Hospital sounds, smells, taste
Phone calls, messages, comments, likes,
My son the celebrity, Mama’s copy, and paste
At home we arrive, the lights are dim
Hundreds of likes now no more than ten
Feeding, feeding, feeding him
Still, he cries; alone I sit
Crying, crying, him or me?
I hold him tight; I will not quit
Lights are off; parade has ended
Love unfettered, beyond definition
Identity crisis, self-unfriended
Pressure mounting, who am I now?
Panic, panic, panic-be still.
Am I still there or is this my final bow?
Staring, staring at this tiny face
Loving, loving, longing, alive
All doubts are gone without a trace
I am here; I am me; I fear, and I joy
World traveler to mom; it’s a trade I must make
My identity is wrapped in this beautiful boy
About the Creator
S.A. Paris
I am just a girl- with a husband, a stepson, a new baby, and a dog- who loves to write, who is pursuing a law degree in international relations and human rights, and who is passionate about social justice.
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Kickball and Parfaits
My grandparents’ long, grassy yard was shrouded on three sides by trees and the fourth by their old farmhouse. The yard sloped downwards, which would seem like a flaw to potential homebuyers and land assessors, but in our eyes, it was perfect for endless games of kickball and was esteemed for the additional challenge it brought to the game. Whenever the dozen or so cousins all got together for one single day during every summer that yard became our territory and woe to the unsuspecting adult who walked in the way of flying ball or speeding runner. My parents, brother, and I lived in Texas while the rest of the family lived in Ohio, so the week out of each year we would spend with them was an event, and the family barbeque with all the aunts, uncles, cousins, babies, and scattered boyfriends or girlfriends that would take place was the highlight of the year. It was one single day, one afternoon, one evening, but in that day lay the entirety of summer.
By S.A. Paris 2 years ago in Families
I want to grow
I want to grow and I’m going to grow. I’m not going to be this version of myself anymore and you won’t know who I become. You won’t talk to her, or be by her side as she goes through life— you won’t know her. Her heart won’t even remember the small moments that’ve clung to it for so long. I’ll watch her embrace a new life that has nothing to do with you, and there won’t be a space waiting like there has been for far too long.
By Aathavi Thanges6 days ago in Psyche
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