There is so little
of myself left
Each day
is time to feed
a fall
a squabble
ten thousand requests
My mind and heart go
from one to another
darting like
a dragonfly
never resting
Perhaps
a moment of quiet
feed feed feed
then
'mama
can I have something to eat?'
Too often
I snap
No! Stop it! Calm down!
hilarious really
shouting
"calm down"
Is it just part
of the intensity
the love and exhaustion
of new beings
of small children
I finish the day
apologising
guilt ridden
have I done enough?
what can I do better?
While their peaceful faces
like angels
sleep.
Rachael Dunsmore-Chambers
Birth After Birth, Argyll & Bute, Scotland, UK