My Son
The moon keeps watch
and the child sleeps.
His head emerges from the covers
like a flower smiling at life.
His breath is like a nocturnal melody
His mouth like a rosebud
My son asleep
and I standing in complete silence.
Oh body that was once mine!
Oh flesh of my flesh!
My glory in being a mother bursts
Rising from the bottom of my heart
like a myriad of stars
shooting across the sky.
Long ago
you sailed in my womb
like a boat on a calm sea.
In giving birth to you
I gave life to myself.
About this poem
This poem, representing Mali, is part of The Written World – our collaboration with BBC radio to broadcast a poem from every single nation competing in London 2012.
