My Arms Are Cold and Empty
(taken from the Novel "There's Always A Reason')
Written May 29, 2006

My arms are cold and empty
My ears will hear no cries
No baby smiles or pleasant coos
For a dream of motherhood dies

My womanliness is a contradiction
A purpose meets a cruel end
No swollen womb, nor fulsome glow
No life beckons from within

No innocent laughter will touch my ears
No kisses will I taste
No fluttering heartbeat or morning’s unease
Child-bearing hips gone to waste

My arms are cold and empty
My ears will hear no cries
No baby smiles or pleasant coos
For a dream of motherhood dies

No fingers reaching for earrings
No gentle fist like clasps
No suction on nipples from hungry lips
No tumbling body grasps

No pre-school nerves or adolescent angst
Nor prom or graduation’s pride
No Mother’s Day Cards or Chocolate hearts
All dreams and desires denied

Mother, Mommy, Mama, Ma
Are words I’ll never hear,
No tear-stains to witness ‘I do’ from a son
Or a daughter that’s always near

My arms are cold and empty
My ears will hear no cries
No baby smiles or pleasant coos
For a dream of motherhood dies.

But my soul will carry on
With help from the Lord Above
Who blessed me with the courage of a mighty queen
And the strength of a mother’s love.