The Shape of a Mother
While talking about postpartum bodies the other day another mother said:
“This belly button is 3 generations in the making: my mama gave it to me and my babies decorated it.”
That was enough to make me look at my postpartum body in a completely different light. I am not ugly, I don’t need to hide away until “ideal beauty” is reached again (as if that were even possible, or desirable.) Michael has been telling me daily that I am beautiful, inside and out. He is right, I am beautiful.
Carrying Damian has changed me forever, I am learning to love this change, after all I wouldn’t have him if not for it.
The Shape of a Mother
My belly may or make not shrink. I am at peace with that.
36-inches around and I have never felt more beautiful.
A number cannot define me, I will not give it that power.
Body, mind and soul I am balanced and I am healthy,
– waist size notwithstandingl
This body brought forth life.
What greater beauty is there then that?I am the vessel from which life poured.
I am a mother.These stretch marks will always be with me.
Commericals may tell me to laser them off,
– but I love them all.
My son has changed my soul forever, for the better.
My body too is changed forever, for the better.
These marks are my tattoo of motherhood.I have crossed a threshold.
I am a mother.My hips are bigger, my old jeans don’t fit.
These hips birthed my son, they are beautiful.My breasts are bigger, they soak my shirts.
These breasts nourish my son, they are beautiful.My heart and my soul are bigger, my emotions overflow.
This heart and this soul love my son, they are beautiful.I am a mother.
I am strong.
I am beautiful.I am a mother.
~ by Jaspenelle Stewart
I may submit this to The Shape of a Mother, not sure yet. Eitherway, check out the website and all the beautiful mamas who have contributed. I think we can all agree that the mainstream view of beauty has to change, we can begin this change within ourselves and the minds of our children.
August 7th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Good poem. I really liked the line with ‘tattoo of motherhood’. Good wording. Alas, women have having a kid as an excuse for those physical changes…guys, we just have burgers and beer.
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August 7th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Male excuse: Sympathy cravings!
I don’t know if the average man has to deal with the same cultural pressure about weight and beauty that a woman does.
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August 7th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Our 5 offspring make all the body changes more than worthwhile. Remember when you stop nursing you will lose about 10 lbs.
Love Nana T
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August 7th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Nursing has made me slim down faster as well. I suppose breastmilk has to get that milkfat from somewhere?
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August 9th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I love that poem!
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August 13th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
This is beautiful and inspirational. You should definitely send it to that website.
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