“What makes you great?” This prompt inspired this poem because when I thought about my “greatness” I know it is in my ability to love, give, and forgive. Greatness? No, but I try.
young, first-born screaming,
fear rising as the cries catch fire,
pacing the room,
humming, bouncing, patting,
on repeat
all through the night,
and as morning comes,
so does the stillness.
The infant rests.
She cries,
her day goes on.
Imagine a wife,
in love, husband caught cheating,
confusion rising as the walls begin to crumble,
pacing the room,
praying, screaming, arguing
on repeat,
replaying in her mind,
and as he opens the door,
she stops.
He is home.
She cries,
her life reshapes.
Imagine a woman,
grown old, years of living,
weight rising as the doubts take hold,
pacing her life,
giving, forgiving, enduring
on repeat,
counting the ways
she never felt enough,
and as the quiet settles,
so does the knowing.
She gave everything.
She cries,
and leaves it there.
Poetry by Melinda K Zarate
Read 17 times
Written on 2026-03-17 at 20:40
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And Leaves It There
Imagine a mother,young, first-born screaming,
fear rising as the cries catch fire,
pacing the room,
humming, bouncing, patting,
on repeat
all through the night,
and as morning comes,
so does the stillness.
The infant rests.
She cries,
her day goes on.
Imagine a wife,
in love, husband caught cheating,
confusion rising as the walls begin to crumble,
pacing the room,
praying, screaming, arguing
on repeat,
replaying in her mind,
and as he opens the door,
she stops.
He is home.
She cries,
her life reshapes.
Imagine a woman,
grown old, years of living,
weight rising as the doubts take hold,
pacing her life,
giving, forgiving, enduring
on repeat,
counting the ways
she never felt enough,
and as the quiet settles,
so does the knowing.
She gave everything.
She cries,
and leaves it there.
Poetry by Melinda K Zarate
Read 17 times
Written on 2026-03-17 at 20:40
Save as a bookmark (requires login) Write a comment (requires login) Send as email (requires login) Print text
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