i avoid the term
resisting labelling
insisting we’re the same
i’m just a mom, i say
just like the other moms
we bear so much alone
the ones who grow and birth
the ones who wake to nurse
i want to feel united
us moms, and not divided
we are the ones who stay
at home and play all day
who don’t drink coffee hot
or pee alone a lot

yet …

if i stop to sit
and just consider it
it’s really simple math
i’m here without a half
a set of extra hands
lunch hit the floor again
a “honey, could you get…”
dinner’s not ready yet
i need another heart
when mine’s falling apart
someone to share the blame
made a mistake again
someone to worry with
help lift the load a bit
talk a decision out
so much to think about
to share a memory
i’ll reach capacity
just hold this for one sec
i’ve got it, take a rest
here sweetie need a hug?
leave that food on the stove
why don’t you take a shower
or maybe just lay down
there’s no one here to say
hey hon, great job today. 

so please don’t get me wrong
you see us being strong
just like the other moms
rocking and singing songs 
yes, at times, it does feel
the world is at my heels

and ‘cause it’s always been
i just shrug off that term
but yes, there’s only one 
here,
that’s me
one 
single mom.