Stay at Home Mum
The house is a mess
My clothes are old
The chores are endless
As the day unfolds
Guilt is a feeling
I’ve grown to know
It follows me daily
Like a dismal shadow
Aches and pains
and all the strains
Bending and lifting
and playing games
Stay at home mum
Won’t that be fun
Finger painting and Netflix
and one on one
“No more work for you”, they’d say
“Free to relax and play all day”
Naive is a word
Not a strong enough fit
To describe this exhaustion
That fills every bit
My back is sore
My hands are dry
My lunch will be crusts
My outlet, a cry
I’m working on forgiveness
I’m working on myself
I’m trying to locate her
high up on a shelf
I’m in the best company
But still I feel lonely
These windows grew bars
For somewhere so homely
I’m juggling many balls
But that’s not the worst
Ones about to drop
Which one will fall first
I hate asking for help
Don’t you see, I can do this
But I need it some days
When it all feels so useless
Resentment and woes
The highs and the lows
Unconditional love
and that’s how it goes
Feelings drifting
So hard to pin down
Some days you win
Others you drown
Yes I am lucky
I love them to bits
and I’d do it again
Every day for these kids
They’ve helped me slow down
They’ve taught me to say No
They’re teaching me daily
about how I can grow.
I’m better because of them
I’ll continue to be
A love like no other
As they are for me
We’re stay at home Mums
We’re bloody strong
So we keep on
Keeping on.
Poem published in Poetry book 'From One Mom to a Mother'.