This poem is dedicated to all you mamas out there with babies that won’t sleep. Ever. Unless they are on top of you in some way.

Solidarity, Mama. You are the embodiment of love.

Like a silent metronome I bounce
up and down
up and down
monotonous movement a lullaby

She naps on my chest
breathing in
breathing out
my heart the beat of a drum

Fluctuation brings a finale
to solitude and silence
a screeching wail
a cymbal crash

In the quiet afternoon
with every bob
every breath
my soul swells with tenderness

Love is an exercise ball

Written as part of Like Langston & Emily: A Poetry Workshop with Callie Feyen and Exhale Creativity.

This post is part of a blog hop with Exhale—an online community of women pursuing creativity alongside motherhood, led by the writing team behind Coffee + Crumbs. Click here to view the next post in the series "Love Looks Like”.

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