You think you know her
But you really have no idea
How much pain and hurt
She hides behind that smile
You see one side
Of a multi-faceted gem
The darkest side is hidden
Deep within
You see the side
The light gets in
Her darkness isn’t sinister
It’s forged by her children
From the still born ones
To the ones who have chosen
Addiction to drugs
Had she chosen not to be a mother
Her smile might be a little brighter
Her heart might be a little more full
Being a mother has taught her
Sometimes women should just
Say no
And not follow society’s path
Of love, marriage, children
Had she rebelled
When she was young
Had she chosen back then
To walk alone
Instead of hitching her horse
To someone else’s wagon
She may not have had to watch
Her children
Facing dragons
Some devoured before birth
Or worse
Those being eaten alive
Right before her very eyes
E.A. Fussell
10.07.2020
E. A. Fussell 