MOMMA SAID NO

She did the right thing
back in the day.
Tired from a day's labor.
Separated and beat back
Momma defied
she pushed back
and brought light
for our eyes.
Momma gave us sight beyond sight.
Momma gave us words for our voices
and gave us existence where once was
none.
Momma taught,
in our infancy,
that it was OK to say No!
But today No! no longer has the power,
it’s snap,
or its honor.
Today's No! is heavy with
tears, sadness, and sorrow.
Momma was violated
turned inside out
by the child that said Yes!
A child who missed the lessons of
No!
Defied and pushed back
Momma cried due to the labors missed yesterday.
Beat back and bruised
Momma still pushes on because
she can still say
can say No!

Momma Said No by Shazza Nakim

Copyright © by Peace of Mind Publishings and with permission by Shazza Nakim