“Second Mom” Published
Happy to announce that my poem “Second Mom” was accepted for publication by Livina Press literary magazine for their special edition: Womanhood.
This issue aligns with International Women’s Day 2025 and all proceeds will benefit Women for Women International. “Second Mom” is a poem about the roles we choose and the roles that are assigned to us. Growing up in a single-mom household, I have so much love and respect for the sacrifices my mother made and honor the efforts she invested into my childhood. However, the uncomfortable truth is that even though that is true, there were still gaps in my upbringing. It takes a village to raise a child, but when you have no village some things fall through the guidance. Those gaps are often fulfilled by other people, for better and for worse.
As I bear witness to this phenomenon that fatherless girls and those with mother wounds experience, I felt I wanted to write about those who step up. They also sacrifice. Yet, even if they feel good about that sacrifice, it would perhaps be fair to acknowledge that it’s not their responsibility. Because I did not have the stability or family unit I needed, I experienced neglect and it’s important to be honest about that. It shows up for me as an adult as well as for those who cared for me along the way.
I wrote “Second Mom” to honor my big sister. She holds that sacred responsibility of parenthood now, and it occurs to me that she may have felt that weight when we were younger and left alone. During that time, I was an undiagnosed, neurodivergent kid and she looked out for me in ways that nobody knew I needed at the time. She did her best then, and she does her best now. The difference being that nobody asked her and she didn’t consent to it when we were younger. She was just a girl trying to be a good daughter and sister. She was parentified long before it was appropriate for her to ever choose parenthood for herself. I will never be able to make that up to her or properly return that favor, but I can write a poem about it and let her know that I see her in our shared history.
I wrote “Second Mom” for all the eldest daughters who share her experience and for all the younger siblings who can never properly say, “I see you and I thank you.” Please enjoy this poem and the beautiful works it lives alongside to honor the women in your life. Available on Kindle, Paperback, and Hardcover.
From the publisher:
“Women, whether subtly or vociferously, have always been a tremendous power in the destiny of the world.” — Eleanor Roosevelt, “It’s Up to the Women”
The second ever special issue of Livina Press makes its debut for International Women’s Day, 2025. Ever since the first special issue (Fight for Reproductive Rights, published in 2022), I’ve wanted to revisit an issue that amplified stories about women. Inside these pages, there are many different voices and stories about women and their impact on others and their experiences.
All proceeds for this issue will go to Women for Women International, a non-profit that provides support for female survivors of war.
Welcome to the Womanhood issue of Livina Press. Remember to keep your mind open and your heart ready.
All proceeds for this issue will go to Women for Women International, a non-profit that provides support for female survivors of war.
