Gentle Heart

Ingrained into the moms-to-be:

contribute to the economy.

In contrast to other countries,

where babies are considered sacred,

we return to work immediately

after a short time of unpaid leave.

Most of us support leave with pay,

but ambivalence is in policy’s way.

Knowing it would take a drastic change

to break the generational chain.

You chose to try the best you could

to juggle a career with motherhood.

Also eclipsed by poverty,

not given a favor or courtesy.

Your heart broke each and every day.

you left the babies but wanted to stay.

At first, they also seemed to hate it.

Eventually, they acclimated.

At surface level, they appeared just fine.

They persevered and stayed in line.

Subconsciously, they were confused,

heartbroken was the word they used.

They questioned why you work a lot.

Inside, they were hurt and distraught.

They thought that you forgot about them,

but all day long, you thought about them.

Some days, you couldn’t think or speak,

your broken heart made your body weak.

You felt like you did not belong there.

No one could understand or care.

Eventually, you escaped the fire,

to do whatever your heart desires

before time sifts away like sand.

You’re grateful that they understand.