She came into the earth
between pillars of freedom
and oppression.
Her incompatible hosts,
were stubborn bones
softened only by fate.
Claiming her burden
head first amidst thighs
damp with promise,
and blush stained bed sheets
that swaddled an imperfect future.
Mother, delivering wisdom,
and purging past,
with each painful groan.
Their silent heritage broken
as the meek battle cry
left fluid filled lungs,
breathing life into a stale room.
A frightened young woman,
now matriarch, cradles hope
between trembling hands
for the first time.
What is the shape of bravery?
A strong chiseled jaw gifted at birth.
A mothers distended belly
at nine months.
The curve of a woman’s
engorged breasts desperate to feed.
Or is it simply,
the silhouette of new mother
embracing her infant.
© Sabrina Escorcio
July 2018
Heritage Series
Dedicated to my mother and daughter.
Sabrina was born to Italian Catholic immigrant parents in the beautiful Niagara region in Ontario, Canada. Surrounded by nature and raised on a self-sustaining farm, nature and faith are two predominant themes often appearing in her work. She grew up with a love for nature, the dramatic arts, music, as well as books and literature. After years of journaling Sabrina came to know poetry, as an adult this became an avenue of self-expression during a time of personal strife. This hunger for poetry was insatiable, leading her to scour second hand book stores for more inspiration. There she found classic authors such as Percy Shelley, Tennyson, and Sylvia Plath, as well as many obscure poets; She began to transform her journaling into the realm of confessional poetry. One of her favourite pieces is titled “Dark Pines Under Water” written by the Canadian poet Gwendolyn Mac Ewen. Sabrina hopes to feature her poetry in print one day, she can also be found on Tumblr as http://brie-writes.tumblr.com .
This is supper cool. Loved the correlation between the new mother and a bravery of facing the world. Lovely.
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Sadje, thank you so much. This is part of a Heritage Series of poems written specifically dedicated to my Family. As the child of immigrant parents, I have been blessed with the wisdom that is born from adversity and sacrifice. I myself was only part of a small fraction of their transitioning life struggles, yet I can say boldly that I reaped the benefits of their journey.
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Reblogged this on Sabrina Escorcio.
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Such a beautiful exposition of the grit and the wisdom motherhood brings. How it shapes us.
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Beautiful in its entirety! Perfect presentation!
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“head first amidst thighs
damp with promise”
beautiful! Just like your description of what a journey birth is
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I thought I commented on this before. But alas, I see no comment. I just wanted to say it was a pleasure to read and an honor to see more of your writing.
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