Sailing the Solo Mothership
A poem inspired by summer holiday struggles.
How can I
Be the source
Of all you need,
Little one,
And still be
The source
Of all I need?
How can I
Provide the
Safety,
Security,
Stability,
Society Says
You need;
And
How do I fulfil
And meet
Those needs;
And
How do we
Make fun,
Be present,
Enjoy this relationship,
Mother-daughter,
Creating,
Laughing;
And
How do I cultivate
And nurture
Patience,
Tolerance,
Compassion,
Understanding
When
Resources
And support
And time
And money
And full bellies
And friends
And sleep
Are sparse,
Thin,
Elusive,
Exhausted;
And
How am I
Supposed to
“Earn a living”
(Like life is to be earned);
And
Parent,
Alone,
Simultaneously;
And
How do I
Discover
Who I am
Becoming;
And
How do we
Fit ourselves
Into a box
I never belonged in?
Self Care is
Critical.
But
How do I
Give
To Myself
Without
Losing the time
We collectively need
To do this thing called
Life?
Lily Ayre, 7th August 2016, updated 2nd September 2016.
Originally published 31st August here.
I recommend Kelly Diels and Brigid Schulte’s writings on why time is a feminist issue. Because it fucking is.
