A Mother's Lament (Poem)

My spare room is now a nursery
Nappies and toys everywhere
A funny smell; which just won’t go
I’m pretending not to care

Little finger prints tell a story
There’s a very nice hand print in curry
I dread to think what’s under the sofa
I’m pretending not to worry

There’s pasta sauce on the carpet
The sofa is sticky with jam
My once pretty cushions are no longer cream
I’m pretending I don’t give a damn

All my cupboards have been emptied out
Will my house ever again be clean?
Nothing stays put for more than a minute
I’m trying not to scream

A mummy’s work is never done
My washing machine wants to die
My bloody back is killing me
I’m trying not to cry

I don’t own anything fashionable
Something to wear; without a stain, I can’t find
Nothing really fits me anyway
I’m pretending not to mind

It’s been a long time since I went out
But if I did it would just add to my debt
I seem to have aged 20 years very quickly
I’m trying not to be upset

I’ve no idea who’s at Number One
I‘m not ever sure what’s the day
But I can name all the characters ‘In the Night Garden’
I’m pretending that’s OK

I can no longer have a pee on my own
Or read a book, or have a good nights sleep
My time belongs to someone else now
I’m trying not to weep

I’m constantly interrupted
Or having something thrown at me
Always a noise. It’s never quiet.
At least I’m never lonely.

Perhaps I shouldn’t try to be Mary Poppins
Just be the best mum I can, everyday
I’ve been given the most wonderful gift
(Honestly) I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Joanne Borrill

Published to celebrate the fact I have been writing my mummy blog at: http://grumpymumtobe.blogspot.co.uk/ for 5 years this weekend!!