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They are Zodiac signs in my belly
One eager and leaping
Pushing its way to my nervous system
Demanding to be heard

I have never had a boss like motherhood
All other occupations have yielded to her
She says jump
I get the rope
There are no questions
The children are hungry

They are fireflies above my head
One floating and blinking
Reminding me that unconsciousness is near
Gentle but unrelenting

I have never had a calling like Blackness
All my Black is woman and all my woman is Black
Skin caramel with the cocoa eyes
Even got a big sister
Who meets me at waters’ edge
Our ancestors are our company

They are life in my lines
One eating one drinking
Sustaining my blood flow
Performing an ancient miracle