Our Mother’s Love

A mighty scream is ripped from deep within her as Gaia bears down and gives one last push. Exhausted and delighted, she gazes upon him for the first time. Even in the dim light of the moon she can recognize the perfection and beauty of this child, not unlike the countless children that have grown strong and vibrant inside her infinite womb. She cradles him in her arms and guides his sweet mouth to her breast to suckle as she closes her eyes.

Tears streaming down her cheeks, she rises and begins to walk with the babe nestled tightly against her heart. She aches with the familiar desire to keep this child safe and protected in her arms. With tears streaming steadily from her eyes and pooling into oceans at her feet she continues her journey, already feeling the sorrow that threatens to break her heart. He touches her skin with his delicate hand and gazes up at her with all-knowing eyes, her weariness grows thicker and heavier still as she is flooded with longing and regret. Her heart is heavy with the knowledge that he has taken the human form and will therefore be destined to suffer as surely as he will cause other’s to suffer as well.

Gaia crumbles to her knees and releases her anguish in loud, ground shaking thunderclaps. She rocks back and forth, clutching her child tightly to her and weeping for him. Too many times she has watched her children lose themselves in their humanness, has watched helplessly as they isolate themselves, separate themselves from each other and ultimately from her. Her throat has grown horse from calling to them, from begging them to remember their power. The infant’s startled cry shakes her to the core and she quickly alters her mood and the child is soothed instantly by her change of weather. The sound of her son’s gentle breathing brings with it an air of hope and she gathers herself up and prepares to continue her journey.

Moments later she is standing over the bed of a pale young woman with gentle eyes. As she places her child into the waiting arms of his human mother she quickly turns and begins the long journey back. She could not help but notice the look of love in the young mother’s eyes and she nourishes and consoles herself with the knowledge that this child will know a mother’s love. And she prays that this time will be different, that this child will be different. She smiles as she begins to feel the blossoming of life and possibilities once again in her loins and she prepares herself for her next labor of love.

Watercolor, ink, pastel, chalk and pencil crayon on 140lb watercolor paper.

© AmandaGWright 2009.