Have you seen her?

I’ve seen her pour herself out and fill an empty room,

seen her weep late at night over an empty womb.

I’ve seen her shake the sun and tell him he’s late,

seen her tuck the moon in.

I’ve seen her back a storm into a corner--daring him to rain on her child,

seen her wash clothes in the eye of a hurricane.

I’ve seen her send the wind home with a look,

seen her part the deepest waters with nothing more than the tips of her fingers.

I’ve seen her hold fire in her hands until it cooled off,

seen her take that same fire in and 9 months later give birth to a generation of melanin magic.

I’ve seen her take children that did not come from her womb and give them DNA-level love,

seen her do what no man could.

Have you seen

mama?