Hey mama, how are you doing?

It’s Friday and I have to say I’ve been thinking about you all day

It’s your son; I know I’m in here

In your heart, the safest place in the universe

Thank you for sharing your body with me and

For making me your heart a warm bed even in the harshest winters

                                              

Baba can rest in peace

And not be so worried that he went too soon

For you have made a perfect mother and father

Like a hen, you shielded your chicks with your last breath

Thank you for the battles you fought with all the hawks and witches of the world

I cherish the stories you used to tell us about how in those long nine months

Hassanatu and I would kick on your belly and all you could do was rub you huge tommy and smile

As you longingly wait for our arrival

You would go on and on talking to us as if we were already here

People would laugh and ask “What’s happening with this woman? She’s talking to herself!”

They thought you were crazy

You thought they were crazy too

In your old age, your battle scars shine brighter than gold

For Like the mother eagle, you flew the million miles to battle

For our million mile list of desires

I can remember your smile, when even in your sweat and thirst and empty stomach

You watched us scavenge our way through the food you made us

Thank you also for teaching us how to fly

Through the high tides and rough winds of life

Your role model and teachings are the strong wings on which I flap

Thank you mama,

For your love never goes away,

You’re the queen of my heart

Any other woman can only ever share that space with you….