One Poem Only is a daily poetry podcast offering a quiet moment with a single poem—read aloud, without analysis or noise.

I Am Mother

Melissa Norton

I am Mother, stepping barefoot on the snake.

Absorbing her power as her body wraps tight around my leg.

I, with quick, sharp force sever the head full of venom

As my mother has done with the point of a shovel

As I have done with a horrified hatchet

My babies will fear no fangs.

I am Mother. Protector. Warrior. Safe Haven.

I am Mother. I know powerful, truest love.

I have trudged through petrifying, thick and heavy fear.

Stepped over serpents of worry, tears slithering,

Growing my new skin to protect this love.

I am Mother. I know sacrifice.

I have abandoned limbs and organs to survive viper pits.

I have been swallowed whole

I have been buried and unearthed, endless reincarnation.

I am Mother. I have created life within me

Torn and bled to release these beings and their breaths.

I have healed and regenerated from battles only I can feel.

My scars are worn proudly, the memories everlasting.

I am Mother

More from Melissa Norton ↓

1. @hairnhips on Instagram
2. @hairnhips on Substack

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Write After: National Poetry Month with One Poem Only

Write After is a way to encourage poets to listen and write, and use National Poetry Month to highlight how listening to poetry makes us better poets. I know I write the best when I’m surrounded by beautiful poetry–it’s part of the reason I created this podcast, and I want to encourage others to share this practice. We'll get started in April. You can share to #WriteAfterOPO.

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