On Mother’s Day 2016

By Annemari de Silva

Here’s to those who choose to and do not choose to become mothers

to those who are trying to or trying not to

to those who can and those who can’t

or who still wonder whether to

to those who know they don’t want to

to those who are but didn’t choose to be

to those who are but didn’t expect to be

to those who are and wanted to be

to those who are.

Here’s to the women who are people too

and wish not to be defined by being a mother

or not being one

Here’s to the people and institutions and legislations and communities supporting whatever choice is made.

Here’s to the people who have to make that choice.

This poem is written to commemorate the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, a global campaign taking place from 25 November-10 December. It was written by a member of the Kavithé Collective – a platform for socially and politically engaged writing by Sri Lankans across the world. For more information visit www.kavithecollective.com. Submit your own creative writing to [email protected].