Hey Māma

Hey Māma 

You look tired 

Tired from holding everyone up 

Holding everything in 

Holding everything down 

Tired from the noise 

The constant noise in my head 

Have I done the washing/folding/dishes/dinner 

The constant questions 

Where's my shoes/top/pants/shirt? 

Have you seen my *insert anything here*? 

What’s for dinner (always fucking dinner!)? 

The mum guilt when I know I should do all the things but all I want to do is  

Nothing.  

But breathe.  

And be quiet.  

Just for a minute, please just give me a minute 

Hey Māma 

You look sad 

What’s there to be sad about? 

Aren't you happy? 

You should be happy, you have beautiful kids 

And a beautiful home, and a wonderful husband who loves you 

Be happy! Be grateful! 

I am! I am.... 

Hey Māma 

Are you lonely? 

But how can I feel lonely in a house full of  

People who love me? 

I don’t know 

But I know I can coz I do 

Do you see me? 

Does anyone see me anymore? 

See me as more than the cleaner/cook/taxi? 

Hello? Anyone? 

Hey Māma 

I see you 

I get tired and lonely and sad too 

Let down your burden for a little while,  

It'll be ok. Have a cuppa. Breathe 

You got this. 

Written because sometimes motherhood sucks. It's overwhelming and oh so lonely.  

I wove a kete to match this, as I would often be overwhelmed by it all and need to weave my feelings out. Woven in Niho Taniwha for the story/teller, with bands of Takitahi in between to represent how alone we can feel as mothers.