SAVE THE MOTHERS

Mother’s Day is but once a year.

A single day to recognize

the source of our beginnings,

the well-spring of our lives.

“Every day is Children’s Day,” 

Mom would say. “No need to name

a special time to recognize children’s worth.” 

But that was then and this is now.

The only recognition now is the day of birth.

What happens next has too little value.

The lives of children lie on fields left fallow.

Now, children are hungry and homeless.

Now, children are untutored and untaught.

Now, children are raped and bombed.

Now, children are drugged and addicted.

Now, children are placed in fear of their demise

so great, they take their own lives.

Now, children are sexualized.

Now, children are not our wealth.

Now, greed uses children to gain wealth.

Mothering requires more today

than being an honored guest at one’s own party.

Mother’s bear more honor and more stress.

Mothers bear heavier burdens for the children unblessed

by a nation whose wealth is forged on forgetfulness

of the needs of women and children.

Mother’s burdens are no longer their own; 

but, their children’s as well.

Saving the children is not enough.

First, we must save the mothers.