Circles of Motherhood

THIS JUST IN: THE BABY WITH THE SECRET NAME WAS BORN ON MARCH 17, ST. PATRICK'S DAY. HER BEAUTIFUL NAME, ANNOUNCED ONLY UPON HER BIRTH, IS BROOKLYN LARK. WHAT A LUCKY LITTLE FAMILY.

To my mothering friends, to Roland, to the baby with the secret name, & to Lilian/Hunter:

Now That I Am Forever With Child by Audre Lorde

How the days went
while you were blooming within me
I remember each upon each -
the swelling changed the planes of my body
and how you first fluttered, then jumped
and I thought it was my heart

How the days wound down
and the turning of winter
I recall, with you growing heavy
against the wind. I thought
now her hands
are formed, and her hair
has started to curl
now her teeth are done
now she sneezes.
Then the seed opened
I bore you one morning just before spring
My head rang like a fiery piston
my legs were towers between which
A new world was passing.

Since then
I can only distinguish
one thread within running hours
You, flowing through selves
toward You.

I painted this motif of circles for a friend and the baby with the secret name. With it, I hope to give the child the gift of color.