I was inspired to write this poem because I was overwhelmed by the connection I was feeling while watching the Royal Wedding. Being both biracial, like Meghan, and a single mother, like Doria. I thought of all the times I sat alone, and the times that are fast approaching, like my daughter’s upcoming prom and graduation where I will be alone again.


But, being alone is not always sad. More than anything I feel proud. Proud of having hit another milestone in spite of being a single mama. Proud of what my children and I have accomplished together as a team. And, as I watched, I was so proud of them both, headed into a new journey with each other for support.

For the Dorias of the world

Who will sit alone

At graduations and weddings

At baseball games and school plays

At proms and award ceremonies

Who will carry the load

Of everything

Wiping tears

And celebrating

School projects And first heartbreaks

Who stay up all night

Helping write papers and college apps

The mothers who silently

Create a universe for their children

Launching pads to toss them in to the

Solar system

With hands wide open to grab

All the stars their hearts desire

The Dorias who always leave space

For a father’s redemption

Knowing it may never come

Because they have spent a lifetime

Patching their children back together

Picking up the crushed spirits

Rebuilding them with love

This is for the Dorias

Who will watch as their legacies

Take steps towards their own journeys

Armed with love

Armed with hope

Armed with strength

That the years of struggle

Lack

Survival

Forged onto their souls

And for the children

Who have watched their mothers

Make a life out of thin air

A dollar out of 15 cents

Who have seen ceilings shattered

Barriers leapt over

And are covered in black girl magic

They know that there is

no limit

To their dreams

To success

that hard work can’t achieve

No trial that last forever

They have learned to

Weather the storms

Know for certain that the sun will come

Warm their faces

And illuminate their paths

The way their mothers have

From their first breath

For the Dorias

In that last car ride

Driving to your children’s

Next adventure

For the Dorias

Free spirited

And strong

Who know they are never alone

Who know there is a

Matriarchal militia marching

With them

I raise my glass to all of us

Salud

Originally posted on Facebook.

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