I see them judging
I see them wondering
I know they are speculating
Confused as to why my motherhood is on trial
Constantly under the microscope
…are you waiting for me to fail?
Continuously questioning my decisions
A first-time mum
Scared as hell
Guessing if I am doing this right
Please don’t bring tears to these tired eyes
Enough has been shed
I cannot mend your insecurities
I have stitches that need mending
Please don’t project your unrealistic goals
Onto my MY motherhood
I have my own insecurities
My own goals
Leave me to find my feet
Let me create my own narrative
It is not yours
He is not yours
Nazneen Laher is a mother, writer, teacher and counsellor. Her work has previously appeared in Poetry Potion, The Kalahari Review and on Instagram (@poemsbynaaz), and she has poetry manuscripts she is looking to publish.