I remember our first time
I couldn’t even get up
I opened my breast to you
and you just started suckling
like it was the most natural thing to do
I was so proud of my little hatchling
It hurt so bad
My whole body convulsed
Everyone said it’s a blessing
But it felt like a curse
of bloody wounds, and dressings
But, it got better, after it got worse
You would feed long
You would feed hard
And yet, you would cry
All you wanted was Mumma’s touch, voice
But they said, my breasts could be dry
I listened to my instinct, it was my choice
You would suddenly unlatch
to look at me, smile and gush
You would sleep at the breast
My heart beating in your ears
Bedimming all the rest
It was an instant antidote to your tears
And there would be times
when I would be too overwhelmed
You would keep latching for hours
And you would not sleep
I would cry and scream, feeling sour
And then guilty, long after you were asleep
And as you grew into a toddler
It definitely got easier
During the day you were your own person
You would run and jump and dance and swing
And at night had Mumma’s magic potion
Then we would hear stories, count sheep and sing
And then one day
It was the last time
You didn’t know it then, neither did I
The next night you cried, and I cried too
But, I softly said, looking you in the eye
This doesn’t change how much Mumma loves you