Poetry Planet International Magazine May 2022 edition by Poetry Planet Magazine

ISSN: 2799-0540

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NAIDZ LADIA

The Administration Team Marites C. Ritumalta Chief Administrator Gigi Balita Tanushi Singh Antara Bose Jeffrey Cejero Vicki Hangren Hauler Moderators/Conductors Elmer Buduan Gamulo Odum Kingsford Maria Dulce Leitao Reis Marvin Omosemen Pamela Tennant Evaluators Marie Ezekiel Ruth Alfar Editors Vee Barnes Marites Ritumalta Ailenemae Ramos Tanushi Singh Columnists

The Poetry Planet International Magazine MAY 2022 edition celebrates mother’s day with stories and poetry about motherhood. THE FOUNDER

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TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURED ARTIST Naidz Ladia FEATURED STORIES--------------------------3 Jia Monica Binod Dawadi Maid Corbic Anne Maureen Esperidion Janet Rose Licudo Sudha Dixit Afrose Saad Okoi Amadlowel Jacob Joiateedavi Rampersad Harsh Sharma Madhuri Kulkani

EXCUSIVE-----------------------------19 Ricky Montano

POETRY CORNER---------------------------20 Nathaniel Cruz Daniel Miltz Ency Bearis Halyna Boloch Loreta Bande Adrian Kalena Swati Das Chandra Sekhal Batabyal Okram Shakuntala Maya Ritna Kumar Halima Khan Margaret Karim Shamain Simeon Amrita Mallik Afruj Jahan Mazumber Kenneth Munene Elizabeth Joseph

INDIAN PERSPECTIVE by Tanushi Singh----------------------------------17

MIGRANTS VOICES by Bernadith De La Cruz------------------------18 CONTRIBUTORS’ HUB-----------------------31

FEATURED STORIES MY WAY OF RAISING IS VERY EFFECTIVE Naids Ladia I am so lucky that I was chosen to write in this magazine issued May, 2022 and will be read by all mothers not only in POETRY PLANET but all over the world. Motherhood is a combination of obligation and commitment. Every mother has her own ways and techniques in raising children. She knows how to nurse and care. Once a mother makes a little mistake in raising her children, a bad community is expected. I have 7 children. I am very careful in raising them because they have different attitudes. I should know their weaknesses and strengths. As their mother, I treat them equally. There should have a BALANCE of discipline and love. During their young age, I play as a disciplinarian. Discipline is very delicate during adolescents stage so I should be very careful in imposing rules inside the house. Rules are needed so that I can demand punishment. They grew respectful, obedient, and God fearing. I found my techniques very effective. I even create something that may consider superstitious like the garlands and medals of the elder sisters will be worn by the younger siblings. I introduce the household chores as play .Each one has his own assignment. My youngest is a boy. There is a year gap between him and his older brother. I am very careful of my treatment to them. There should be no jealousy. Every time I gave them something, I should give it first to the older brother and instruct him to share it equally to his younger brother. Respect and love developed between them. I met difficulties in tutoring my youngest son because he is visually impaired. His right eye is blind and the other eye has low vision. I stopped working when I gave birth to him because he was born premature. As a mother, I perform my obligation well in caring my children. Time management is important to everyone but most of all to mothers. It is very important to have proper time and discipline. I should finish my house works before noontime so that I can rest and study my lessons in my masterals..

I trained my children doing household chores in their early age so that they won't grow like me having no knowledge of cooking and laundry. My eldest and youngest has 11 years gap. Since my youngest child has an eye problem, I have to focus on him. It is difficult for me because of emotional torture. There are so many what if's in my mind. What if, if I can't mold him into a good man, so I help him develop his selfesteem. He should have enough selfconfidence so that he can move and go forward into his ambition. As they grow, they became good individuals. They become professionals despite the difficulties in raising them. Their father passed away in 2008 so I became a mother and father to them. .It's not easy to let them follow what I want but with exact balance of discipline and love, it’s possible to achieve. Now, I have best friends, my children. As I see them with their families they do same as I did in raising them, so I prove that my way of raising is very effective. It's not impossible to have good community if the foundation is good. Mothers play an important role in an individual's life. If we have proper time management, it makes all works easy, and if we treat our children with balance discipline and love, they will grow into good people. A friend says, positive disposition in life makes oneself young. It is really true. Be positive and there will be positive outcome. So to all mothers in the planet, be happy and keep away from stressful situations. Mothers can make a happy kingdom, mothers can make peaceful community. Mothers can produce friendly and intelligent generations, so why not mold our children into a good shape. And in a right time we will reap what we had sown.

A MOTHER TO HER MOTHER Jia Monica When I was a child, I have been taught that there is “A Mother’s Love”. As a daughter of a strong, working mother, I did not fully understand it. Especially when most of the days I didn’t see my mother at home like where mothers ‘should be’. We were living in Cavite and my mother travels to work to Manila every single day. By the time I woke up, she was already gone. By the time she came home, I was already asleep because of school the next day. This went on for my entire childhood. And it didn’t help whenever I have awards at school, my mother was not there to come up to the stage and accept the awards for me. I thought, I believe there is mother’s love, but my mother did not love me enough. And I grew up. I studied, graduated, became an adult. I was on the cusp of adulthood, then motherhood came. I was so young when I became a mother. It changed me and it brought out not just the best, but also the worst in me. I had days when I felt the happiest in the world, and nights when I cried buckets of tears. And I asked myself, “did my mother experience these, too?” Just like my mother, I also became a working mother. I had to in order to help my husband and the small family we were building. I had to for my children’s future. As a mother, it hurt. I wanted to be with my children every day. I want to see them smile first thing in the morning. I want to hear them call my name while I prepare their food. I want to sing lullabies for them before they go to sleep. I want to. But in today’s society when only the minority of mothers can have that luxury, I was part of the majority. And it pains me. Every day. But I had to keep going. I had to be strong. No matter how painful, no matter how exhausting it is, if I want to see my children’s smiles, if I want to give them better futures, if I want to give them the best of everything. For it is “A Mother’s Love” that drives me.

And I remember my mother. I had always seen her as a strong woman, devoid of emotions. And I began to see motherhood from her lens. We were never rich but my mother was able to provide all our needs. Food, shelter, clothes and most importantly, my bothers’ and my education. She was always busy but she was always tired. But like all mothers out there who are part of the majority, she had to keep going for her family, for me. Everyday must have been so painful for her. Leaving our home, not being able to say goodbye to her children, not being able to see our smiling faces, not to be able to hear our laughter, not being able to take care of us, not being able to help us with our homework, not being able to celebrate her children’s success at school. And society may think she was a bad mother who neglected her children. If she was, then that would make me one too. But, no. My mother and I lived two different generations of motherhood. Our experiences may not be the same, but “A Mother’s Love” will never change. It transcends through all ages and generations. No matter what society say, it is a fact sweeter than fiction.

THE LOVE AND WISH FOR ALL THE WOMEN AND MOTHERS OF THE WORLD Binod Dawadi

Mother you are a girl. You are facing the life of the girl at your childhood. You are facing the life of the woman after your marriage. You are facing the difficulties and obstacles in your life. You are rearing and caring . You need to satisfy your husband. You need to satisfy your children. You need to give satisfaction to your family. You are the form of the God. Mother you also gave birth to me. Not only me mother’s you gave birth to the whole world. You have the power and strength of making children. Rearing them. Making them aware about their life. Teaching them always good moral lessons in a life to be a good man. Mother you are never doing other or indifference to your children. When children are doing some mistakes. You are hiding that mistakes and taking that mistakes in your hand. You have the capability of taking the risks. You can handle any difficult situation in your life. You can win this world. You can do each and every things in your life. You can give birth which is the most difficult work in this world. You can rear and care children until for your last breathe. You care and love children more than anyone in this world. Only women can know the pains of the women. Women you are God teaching the children good and bad. Making their aware of their problems and difficulties in their life. Your sacrifices and values could not be explained by these words. Your blood gives life to the baby. Your breathe gives life to the baby. Your body’s organs are helping you to work in excellence for the baby. After nine months of pregnancy your body composes and creates the shape of the body from the waters. It is the most magical thing. Then only you give birth. You are the greatest than anyone in this world. You are always wanting the bright future of your child. I am also one of the son of the mother her name is Ambika Dawadi. I want to give billions thanks for my mother and thanks for the mothers of world. Who gave birth to a good son like me who will always praise and love about a women and mothers of the world. By realizing their contribution and their sacrifices towards our life. Mother I can’t give you anything.

I have not any big contributions like yours like you gave in my life. Thank you for God for making women, father man and the mother. So we forgot the women and we always dominate and discriminate women’s in most part of the world. So we should love and care them. This is small love and wish for all the women and mothers of the world. They may have got difficulties and obstacles may God always brings happiness and success in their life. Their love and dedication may also continues to the future and will be immortal for the time when this Universe will exist. Mother be happy and be good give birth , rare them and make their future bright. Mothers you are welcome in this world and we all the children of this world want your sympathy and love. You are greater than any thing. Nothing can be compared as well as kept in your place. Your essence is so much in a life. There are many kinds of the happiness from your support in our life. You will be immortal in our life. We give our all thanks to all the women, girls, fathers men as well as mothers of this world.

RECOGNITION OF MOTHERS FOR THE LOVE OF THE CENTURY Maid Corbic I never told my mother that I had found a girl and I skillfully hid it from her. She knew that love was wonderful and beautiful if I created it the way I know it, but I believed she would find out someday. I just didn't know how to say it in a nice way because she could never understand me when I asked her. She thought that my relationships were strange and that I would never find happiness. But all that happens when she realizes one autumn day, that rainy January, that I found someone. But I was not allowed to say because I knew that maybe she would make fun of me. I knew that it might be wrong to open up to her, but I have to understand that all this may be for my good. What fate awaits me because no one knows what can happen, and I had to believe only in myself and no one else because we were both afraid to tell the truth. And my mother for me is my hero and she always loved me the best and most beautiful. When she told me she knew about the secret, I was shocked. I thought she was kidding me, but I believed there was no reason for it and that some stories are best because my mother is my best friend. I believed that maybe it would lead to a split in our relationship with the girl I was dating, but I had to tell all the secrets, but I also had support. In the end, she said that she was with me and that she would never leave like the others who told me consciously. I had a rainbow with me and everything was irrelevant when she was there for me at all stages of life. I felt relieved when I realized that telling my mother the confession that I loved someone is awesome, but also nice because I don’t have that burden with me anymore. I live a better life now than ever before

THE AGONY OF A SINGLE MOM (OFW) Anne Maureen M. Esperidion Who would not want to be with her child and witness how he grow? No one right? Yet is there any mother who never want a better life for her kid? The moment her beloved child was in due time to glimpse the beauty of the world tears of joy were flowing like a river in her eyes. She couldn’t bear how glad she is to finally meet her child face to face. The innocence look of the kid made her smile widely but there’s the fear that ran inside ,her heart suddenly felt freight and it seemed like something is pinching on it , thinking how could she will be able to raise her child alone and she doesn’t have any job to earn for living. The society’s criticism and cruelty triggers her distress but thank you to God, He surrounded her with people who are blessed with genuine love and kind hearts. She and her son had been covered with affections and supports from her family and friends. Yet time comes when she needed to spread her own wings and fly on her own for their survival. The thought of living her son pained her already yet she have to bear the aches in order to provide her child a better future.

you can’t deny the fact that there’s a gap, there are things he can’t utter to you freely or he is hesitant to tell stories where you can’t force him to for if you do so more misunderstandings may occur. Your disciplinary measures that you wanted to instill to him always have limitations cause you are always being careful not to hurt him or you don’t want him to be intimidated on you. Gaining his full and confident trust is somehow you need to worked a lot. Being away from him when he is sick or he is feeling alone will really made your heartbroken, your helplessness on how to make him feel better can torment your mind and heart to it’s full extent and the presence he yearned shattered your core. any earthly things couldn’t fill up his hunger and thirst to savor your sweet presence and endearing love yet it's the only resort you can give to atleast augment your absence. The agony and pain of a single ofw mother is twice as the hundred arrows nor bullets fired in a war salute to all of us for bearing such wounds.Soon all our sacrifices will be rewarded.

She cried a river every day thinking how far she is from her son and the fact that she is looking after and taking care of other’s children. She felt sorry and pitied her child but tapped and reminded herself that all of these sacrifices are for her child’s sake. Her profound love for him is her inspiration and motivation to survive the day to day life as a domestic helper. Many of the special occasions and celebrations she skipped and never been physically present and her longing to be with him gradually increasing as years passed by . She always dreamt to be with him in every journey and every milestone he had been through and achieved but what she can do is cheering and celebrating it at distance. It’s never been a piece of cake to be a mother and a father to a child specially when you are away, there’s always a barrier or a wall blocking both of you, though you both know how you loved one another,

MOTHER:THE HANDS THAT RULES THE WORLD Rosie B.Licudo The first being created by our Almighty God from the ribs of a man to be His partner in molding humans to righteousness is a woman. The first indications of the supremacy of God to our lives as human beings. The role of a mother is a pivotal and divine mission assigned to all women alone. The poem by William Ross Wallace entitled "The hands that rock the cradle is the hand that rules the world" which was published in 1865 under the title "What rules the world", defined the influence of a mother in the development of her child's beings. How a mother plays an important role in establishing her child to become a better person to the society and the world. It is a privilege and important role given by our God as His partner in giving life to another person and fulfilling the bequest of the human race. Mother is certainly the most important human being in everyone's life. Mother is a word that fills everyone's emotions and everyone's thoughts. A mother can understand a child's feelings unspoken. Even just in the eyes, a mother can understand the quietude of her child. A Jewish proverb saying "A Mother understands what a child doesn't say "affirms what most of us experienced always. As the mother shared a deep connection to her child that originates during infancy, she can understand her infant's child without any words of communication. Connections that can't be matched by anyone else, even a father can't cross the bridge of these communication built by a mother and a child. A mother can hear sentences in the silence of their children. A special gift of Intuition God has given to us, is a strong sense of communication that tells what is good to her child and how they will excel in the future on their own feet. What gifts and abilities do they have, need to develop for their lives as God designed for them. Mother is a timeless teacher in the classroom of life. They are the most influential educator in their child's development and thoughts. A mother can makes difference in her child's future. This role provides several functions in shaping her child to become a fruitful human being in society.

They always bouquets us with timeless wisdom, a legacy so precious. Our Mothers often shaped our world from the cradle, by rocking, nurturing and instructing us to grow up and make a life-changing and history making-accomplishment person. For every person, there is a mother who fostered a child's sensibility to their potential. Mother is the most powerful teacher on hands- in the laboratory of our everyday living. Their attributes to mankind come from their pure and genuine heart. A mother loved can't compare to anything else. There is nothing else as comforting as we are wrapped with our mother's arm when we are sad, lonely or scared. Mother teaches us the power of words. A mother's words are powerful, they can build us or destroy us. As a mother how does your word shape your child's mind and beliefs in the world.?How do your words build her confidence to stand tall to the adversity and hardship of life? Are we like a Potter that slowly moulds the clay into the finest jar? How do we shape our children when we are speaking with them? Are we shaping their heart like clay, softly and gently putting pressure on it? What do our children look like after we finish talking to them? Are they like fine pottery in the process of being moulded with our love and caring words or they are like a stone with hard parts sculpted in their heart by our negative and sharps words and angry thoughts? You and I can fan the flames of greatness in our child and you and I can sniff it out, so be careful on our words. Our words as a mother can build their dreams and our words can also destroy our child's dreams and confidence. A President, a teacher, an engineer, a lawyer, an accountant, a great writer, a painter, a doctor, a caregiver, amongst others there is a mother behind them who foster to reach her/his potential and turn us into a great person in our society we are living. "When we are a mother, we are never thinking on our self alone. We have always had a second thought. One for our self and most of the time for the goodness of our child." -Jan-

ONE WRONG STEP Sudha Dixit Janaki looked stricken. She had come me to unburden herself, to be free of guilt that was eating her up. I am not a psychiatrist. I, only, hold a degree in psychology. Actually, degrees are immaterial. Everybody, somehow, gets a degree. It’s one’s involvement and dedication that, really, matters. I had an empathy with plight of women. I used to try and help them whenever I could. It was a kind of social service- pro bono. Many women and young girls, with womanly problems, used to come to me, either for help or for consultation. Janaki came to me; she was fumbling with words. She wanted to say something but was finding it difficult to express herself. I did not force her to say anything but kept talking casually. That put her at ease. Finally, she began to speak: “After my marriage we had our first child. It was a girl. After that we had a son. Family was complete. We were open-minded people; so- called modern couple. But one day my daughter came to me and told me that she was pregnant. She said it so casually that I didn’t get any shock but took it in my stride. Further enquiry revealed that her boyfriend (yes, we were modern enough to allow our children mingle freely with both boys and girls) had refused to marry her. So? I looked at her questioningly. She said she would like to keep the baby. I felt shaken. I was modern (or so I thought) but not to that extent. She asked me to tell her father. That horrified me. My husband was not that modern. He would have, only blamed me. So, I told her that we could not keep the baby. As it is we were struggling to get her married (she was a divorcee). With a baby it would be almost impossible to find a good match. Like any other ordinary woman, I was thinking of society and about what would people think. (All semblance of being modern and radical had gone to dustbin). All my selfimage of being very brave had been shattered. My daughter understood my discomfort and agreed to abort the child. I didn’t reveal any of this to my husband and got everything done by taking her to a lady doctor. The chapter was closed. Eventually we got her married to good person who had lost his wife to cancer. He had two kids and his first condition was -no more children. My daughter agreed, though she desperately wanted her own baby.

My daughter is a very loving and magnanimous person. She loved her husband’s children as her own. But you cannot fight destiny. Those children were over- possessive of their father. They could not reciprocate her love. They were quite civil, still, the element of missing love was apparent. I am devastated. I feel it’s all my fault. If a man, with two children can get a new wife who would look after his children, why can’t a girl, with one child can get married? How can a man be so selfish and insensitive to a woman’s natural craving for her own baby? They are getting on with life quite normally; apparently happy enough. But I can feel the vacuum in my daughter’s heart. I, often, night after night dream of my denial to keep her baby. I feel like crying, though I don’t cry. My tears have dried but they keep flowing unseen like an underground river.” Janaki finished her woeful tale. I could perceive her invisible tears and sense her suppressed anguish. For once I was at a loss of words. It was the confession of a mother of a crime that wasn’t a crime in reality. Here, in fact, the culprit was society. You can prosecute someone for a single murder. You cannot convict a mass murderer killing hundreds, as in war or in mob. I listened in silence and hoped that my moist eyes conveyed my empathy to her. How many more mothers feel guilty and need to confess their much pardonable crimes!

THAT PROTECTIVE UMBRELLA Afrose Saad

Who are you? I can't recognize. Am I losing my eyesight? Are you my dear daughter? I can't trust this time. Linda was a teenager, around 15 years old. She lived with her mother. Mother had suffered a lot from the very first time. Father was died after the birth of Linda. At that time, she was a 3 weeks older baby doll. Despite all facts ,life was moving on with an unwanted mission. But due to some orthodox rites, she was losing the trusted ward. She wants to enjoy life like others. But it's difficult for her. She has learnt the bitter truth of life. It's essential to strongly hold self respect. She wants to make a smiley art for her mother. She is doing her best. After two years, suddenly she has gotten the offer letter from an NGO, to write a story about the bonding of children with their family, parents. She is willing to take this offer. Her preparation cannot be seen at daytime. After some days, she submits the paper and eagerly is waiting for the result. Surprisingly, her story is selected for making a short film. That film will be made for the awareness, about the most precious relationship on earth. When ,the film has made, her mother was invited. Mother is unaware about all things. Why do you call me? I can't understand. Can you please clear this fact? Wait! Aren't you mother of Linda? You will feel proud about your daughter. She is the winner of this project. She is clearly reflected your lovely words towards the world. Kindly take this invitation card. Our board is wanted to give you this in person. Because Linda told us that don't say anything to my mum. She can be shocked. I will tell her later. But we think that it's such an awesome news, you will definitely feel so proud of her. Mother: I'm shocked. I can't believe this. I have faced so many strife in my life. Still I never want, that Linda may involve in this bitter part of life. But my daughter is so smart and barely let me know how she feels--- Yes! I'm a mother of a beautiful daughter. May be she is an angel. She comes to me from heaven.

She wants to tell that never regret when you are facing traumatic vault in your life. Hold your trust and you will see the ray of sanguine sun. Your life will turn to a crescent zone. Connection of children with parents is the most precious and prestigious one. I can't hold my tears. Linda's mother is crying. Confession of a mother about her children--- It must be a glorious art for showing the universe, a mother is the spirit of life for her child. Let all children know that--- your every word whether good or bad, always affects your beloved mother. She is always tried to make a secured future, a lovely way for you to move on. Open your inner eyes, you can see that golden shade of mother's love. That is acting like a protective umbrella. Let the world to know the value of this blissful, protective umbrella.

THE CONFESSION OF A MOTHER Okoi Amadiowei Jacob A mother in general sense is the female couple of a married home who has given birth to a child or children in marriage, and is rendering relevant services to members of her household, especially to the husband and to her children with love and care. She is the assistant superintendent of a married home in family life. A woman who shifted herself away from her parents' home, and opened the deepest door of her heart to a man she met sometime ago because of love is now a wife, and probably a mother of children through childbirth. In her newly found home, she became a deputy in dignity due to existing male favouring conventions in society. Her potentials and values were subjected to prevailing patriarchal practices hence she is looked upon as someone with second class status. Her wishes and desires in life must only be implemented if approval is secured from her husband. She has become an all time subordinate to a husband in marriage, and is expected to be in that minimum merit till death. A mother without doubt has a lot in mind to say which seemed to be Confession of her Experiences in life when noted from moment of marriage to her moment of being a mother. Every mother has a volume of verses that can be narrated to someone. Yes, for the sake of posterity, a mother has a strong story to tell her children and even to others about her experiences in marriage. A mother's story which is now her confession might be cheerful or sorrowful, depending on her experiences in life. She might tell her daughters who are getting close to ages of marriage how she met a handsome young man whose pleasant speeches and pleadings when seeking her hand in marriage were like enchantment that enthralled her mind off from earth to heaven hence excitement was mostly many in her mind. The lyrics of love and persistence he expressed in seeking her consent for marriage were far beyond resistance so she succumbed to his advances and got married to him.)

They were in highest level of love, with rising respect and care for each other till Satan crawled into their midst, and displayed its desperation over their well established joyfulness in marriage through interference from fellow female who snatched off merriment of her marriage from her. "Miss Sandra, a dearest daughter of devils whom I would never forget in life was the bait that enticed my husband into the hands of Satan to destroy our marriage". Such an ordeal was too terrible to bear when a husband deserted his once beloved wife, and his children thereby leaving the cost of caring for their needs to the mother alone. In such a circumstance, the mother has a strong story to tell her children whose father has become the Adolf Hitler that waged a "World War" against comfort, peace and successes of a mother and her children in marriage. A mother, my mother, your mother, someone's mother and every mother has a Strong Story to tell others from her experiences in marriage. At times, such a story might be pleasant to the ears while in some sense, her story will be piercingly painful to the ears, depending on circumstances shrouding her experiences in marriage. A mother's pleasant and pernicious experiences in marriage are mostly many in mind, waiting for explosion like prevailing pregnancy of an overflowing flooding which becomes the Confession of a Mother to her audience.

My mother my mentor As a young innocent girl I would always joke around pretending I was pregnant. I would wear a dress and hide a pillow underneath. My mother would laugh and call me silly but she never once explained those things to me. By watching my mother and the way she raised a family , her simplicity and grace, I knew I wanted to be like her , the kind of mother she was to us ; my four brothers and I . She was literally the backbone of our family . My father was hard working and very quiet and simple. He allowed my mother to run the household and she did a magnificent job. Before I was born ,our family went through some hardships. My father had lost his job and my mother did domestic jobs to make ends meet until my father was employed again. My mother never once complained and with her positivity the bad times never lasted long. With all five children married now she was left alone with my father in a big house. When he got a stroke she had to care for. Joiateedavi Rampersad

IN THE LAP OF PARADISE Harsh Sharma

The word "Mom", "Maa" contains the whole meaning in itself. A child utters this first pleasing word from his lips, which is the very knowledge of his life. Mother is the emblem of love, generosity, sacrifice and kindness. The presence of mother bring into my mind the glimpses of heroines, who strive to sustain their existence. Mother is the integral core of this universe. A mother is said to be a everyone's truest companion, who alleviates digress of life through the fragrance of her love. The connection of mother can't be matched with anyone else in the whole wide world. Even her rebukes teach the ways to know realities. She is such a goddess of nature, who affectionately nurtures her creatures. The sudden semblance of Mother conveys a beautiful message to us and disseminates the feeling of love in our minds. Mother has huge level of forgiving and enduring power. She is the most precious gift from God bestowed upon us. Above all, she is my root and foundation. Mother is the harbinger of my longest journey. She makes me shine often in the dark side of life as a twinkling star also keeps afar from evilly world. She leaved no stone unturned to bring me up like a flagrant-flower in a stony lands. Mother appears as spring in all season. Mother is a massive entity in entire Nature. Mother's love is beyond all bliss and ecstasy. On the day, I born ,feels those cries "in the lap of paradise". Her shelter didn't let us burn in the heats of sun and warmth of love survived long from gust of wintery winds. I consider, her as a best artist who sprinkled pessimistic colours onto the canvas of my life. Most noteworthy, No world shines without the blessing rays of mother's love.

A LETTER TO MY KIDS... Madhuri Kulkarni Dear children... I wish to confess and put my heart in front of you... You always feel Amma is very strict... She doesn't budge to all your wishes... But heart in heart.. she wishes to give you all the pleasures of the world... Dear babies .. It's time you should know the atrocities of the world... You must be strong enough to face them... You must differentiate between a lovable touch and a bad one.. You should stand for yourself when need be... That is the reason why I pretend to be stern.. Mom knows when you need to be given freedom.. if I say you cannot go out at nights... I mean to say.. I am worried about the driving you do... I am worried about the hassles you might face..I am worried about the kind of friends you have.. I am worried until you return back home. Whenever you ask for pocket money .. I give you less... This is because I want you to know the worth of money... How hard it is to earn... But I know... I have taught you the ways of life... And proud you are not spendthrifts... Apoorva...your amma is proud that as a daughter you have fulfilled your dreams. A gold medalist...a singer...and being a wonderful wife, daughter in law. An awesome worker at office.. I am proud that you are the darling of your new household.. And my dear son Abhilash .. along with studying you are now well versed in music...being a tablist, a beat boxer and a basketball player... But though your accomplishments make my heart fill with pride...I never show it on my face...lest you stagnate .. I have never forced you to fulfill my dreams...instead I wanted you to bloom on your own and pave your paths in a beautiful way... Now that you are ready to face the world on your own.. I wish you all the best dearies... Remember Amma loves you and is always there for you...

INDIAN PERSPECTIVE Tanushi Singh THE ESSENCE OF MOTHERHOOD "A heart within a heart, the threads of our love quilted above and beyond forever " Becoming a mother is a journey. A solitary road that often teaches a woman about herself more than she could possibly comprehend before about her life. This dimension within any woman to nurture is intrinsic. As natural as the air we breathe. So when a woman learns she is capable to feel such immense and intense emotions and is capable to hold infinite love for this new life growing inside her, the change grows permanence and feels surreal. Right from conception till the baby comes into the world, the instincts of motherhood seep in gradually with ease and post pregnancy ,it can be like a rebirth for her figuratively and quite literally. Whether you are the biological mother or not , I believe once you begin to take care of a new life you are absorbed in a love so strong that invariably there is a strength that emerges from within. Quoting another quote from my book, "Strength be born in arms of her new born emerges a love so strong a sense of protection arises a lioness within her rises" As a mother of two daughters, I personally think I have transformed ,once I turned into a mom. The shift in priorities for one, the constant vulnerability of knowing your kids are your biggest weakness and your greatest strength. I have often marveled at the paradox as well as the enormity of the emotions I carry day in and day out as I raise my babies. On one hand there are a million worries while my entire energy is consumed in handling my children, then there are days when nothing is going my way but their mere presence or their tiny embrace or simply listening to them giggle is all it takes to realize life is truly beautiful despite being difficult as I try to stay brave. The gratitude of the love that a child brings into my world is worth everything at stake. This refers to my career or the freedom to do whatever I want whenever I want or compromising on my me time.

Only once I entered motherhood I realized how exhausting it is to raise tiny humans .No one talks about it and prepares you for this. Post partum depression is another phase that should be shared and discussed more openly without judgment. It's the body and the hormones playing havoc in one's mind post delivery and it's high time people are more sensitive to new mothers, who are only trying their best to deal with all the changes in the body while trying to grasp the magnitude of the mother's role right after she holds the baby for the first time. In the peak of covid first wave in 2020, I gave birth to my second daughter and the experience of touching indecipherable emotions all at once while I was admitted with covid restrictions .It wasn't an easy experience to say the least. But I saw the front line warriors, the nurses especially, at work round the clock to ensure we were safe. Also ,I had the chance to observe the capacity in a woman to bear pain and the innate resilience in her to go to any lengths for her child. It's a mystical magical experience to be able to see this power we as mothers are willing bore to give birth to our children. The universal language for any mother in the world is to protect, nurture and raise her children in the best way possible. Motherhood is a beautiful blessing, an experience to understand the true meaning of creating another life. I found a better version in me after I became a mother, I found a reason to fight and find my voice after I became a mother. I met the fear of death for the first time after I became a mother. This need of my existence felt absolute, without me what would they do? This worry instilled so deep only, after I became a mother. The need to keep trying to be the best version of myself and be there for my children. The utter helplessness when I see them hurt and can't make things right. To learn that my child will have to learn through his or her mistakes and I can be there yet I'd have to let them be on their own. The constant oscillation between feeling terrified and feeling exhilarating joy, is the name of motherhood for most of us in our every day lives. It is by far the most profound and life altering emotion to understand human life. To understand how a heart within a heart are entwined for life.

MIGRANTS’ VOICES Bernadith Dela Cruz MOTHER What we really understand about a mother? According to the dictionary, a mother is a woman in relation to her child or children. A woman that bring up ( give birth to a child ) with care and affection. Basically, these are the meaning we all know and we grow of and was instilled in our minds based on what we see in our surroundings literally. But if we broaden the meaning of a mother, she ( mother ) plays a lot of important and major roles to us all ( her dear children ).

A mother is our best friend, our cheerleader, our number one fan. A mother is our first teacher. Our first love, first chef, first make up artist, first hairstylist, you name it. She is always our first in everything. The " Jack Of All Trades. " She is our hero. In the Filipino culture, we always say " Ang Ina ang siyang ilaw ng tahanan" a mother is the light of our home. Nothing compares to the heart and unconditional love of a mother. She sacrifices a lot and giving up her own desires just for the good of her children. She is a lioness, so brave and strong, protecting her cubs away from danger. A mother's embrace is soothing and gives peace to a child's difficult days. It is a mother's happiness and incomparable joy to finally hear the first cry of their baby, that they took care of for a period of nine complete months inside their womb. But being a mother doesn't exactly tells us that only those women who bear children. A mother is also our aunts, our grandmothers, our older woman friends, our school teachers. Even single women are called mothers to those whom they took care of (nephews and nieces ).

Any woman who renders a motherly care to anyone is entitled to be called as a good and genuine mother. It is not always out of a blood relationship. I am a mother too of a 20-year old young woman. She live her life without me since then and until today. Working as a migrant worker is a lot of sacrifices to overcome, away from family, especially from our children. But I only prayed to God that this difficulty will mold my daughter into a strong and positive independent woman which she is of today. Brave and strong. Good communication is the key.

Understanding the blank (silent mode) in between the line (phone call). Allowing my daughter to voice out her feelings, her stand and emotions. That's how I handle my motherhood miles and miles away from her. As we celebrate " Mother's Day! " here are some of the random voices and point of views of a mother around the world. No matter what culture, race and color, a mother is a mother. It is a universal word, a noun and a verb, that is very significant."

Motherhood is a SACRED journey that a woman will travel in life, and one of the most powerful words that a woman kept. It is either you carry an angel whom you will love and care for the rest of your life. Being a mother is one of a kind . - Ailenemae Salvador Ramos - Author: Beyond The 17 Sunset Philippines

The meaning of being a mother is virtually endless. A mother is a protector, disciplinarian and a friend. A selfless loving human who must sacrifice many of their wants and needs for their children. A mother works hard to make sure their child is equipped with knowledge, skills and abilities to make it as a competent human being. Being a mother is perhaps the hardest most rewarding job a woman will ever experience." Marjorie Fuentes Mompreneur/writer Hongkong"

The day a son or daughter is born is the day a mother is born. Motherhood can be raw and difficult to digest. Is not always beautiful lullaby’s and kisses. Sometimes the road is tough. The nights are sleepless. And all your world comes tumbling down. But that little spark of life becomes bigger and so does your strength and your love to always protect, care and love your baby. No matter what. ❤️For eternity. "-JessicaMWHK Spanish Translator Columbia The path of a mother is infinite, it begins with the sweet wait for the being that will be born of her to continue giving everything to her throughout her life, so she becomes a teacher counselor, best friend, psychologist, everything she can give of herself, without expecting anything in return, her dedication is invaluable, I am sure that if she had to give her life for a child she would do it without thinking about it, so immense is her love that is prolong in her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, I am happy to have the shower of being a mother.. - Isabel Valles Poetess/writer/cosmetologist by professionLima, Peru

Actually motherhood is like all in one. Para kang caregiver to give love and care , teacher, kasi you have to teach them academics and discipline as well. Psychologist sometimes kasi you need to give advices pag may problema silang emotional. You have to be like financial expert kasi you need to learn how to budget and invest money para sa family's future. You also need to be a friend with them so you can connect sa mga bata emotional para lalo mo sila maintindihan. Motherhood is a blessing kaya you must have a long patience, at the end of the day pag nakita mo na naging mabuting tao ang mga anak mo, yon ang best reward na matatanggap mo, masasabi mo you did your best as a mom." Reychel Mawac Author:Batang Ina , Abudhabi

Becoming a mother is one of the beautiful gift this world has to give. From the moment I became a mother, my purpose has been to love and protect my child with everything I have. I suffered from Postpartum. It was difficult for me because I only have my husband to help me during the healing process. When I look at my son he is like an angel, he calms me every time I felt hopeless. A mother is not an easy task. It is a responsibility that no rule and regulations but I have to use my selflessness to be a good mother.“ -Mayvel B. DatuinAuthor: Journey with Unexpected Proposal 18 California, USA

HOME LEARNING PARTNERS’ INVOLVEMENT IN THE BLENDED LEARNING MODALITY: ITS RELATIONSHIP TO LEARNERS PERFORMANCE Ricky Montano Continuation from April 2022 edition 3. Is there a significant relationship between Home Learning Partners Involvement in Blended Learning Modality and Learner’s Performance? Table 7 Relationship between Home Learning Partners Involvement in Blended Learning Modality and Learner’s Performance

Table 7 revealed that the involvement of the Home learning partners in the blended learning modality has a moderately significant to the cognitive learning of the students having an Rvalue of 0.4565 and p-value of 0.001. This implies that the cognitive development of the students improved as they were continuously supported by parents in blended learning. Thus, Parental involvement in their child’s literacy practices is a more powerful force than other family background variables, such as social class, family size, and level of parental education (Flouri & Buchanan, 2004). It can be seen also based on the table that the involvement of home learning partners through financial support has a very strong relationship to the cognitive learning of the students having an Rvalue of 0.916 and a P-value of 0.000. The data shows that the financial support of the parents during blended learning has a very strong positive significance in the learning achievement of the student. It means that having easy access to different learning materials and different means to learn provided by parents are all essentials in the learning process of the students. According to Fan & Chen, 2001 parental involvement in their children’s learning positively affects the child’s performance at school.

While there is a weak relationship between moral support of the HLP and cognitive learning of the students having -0.1704, while it is very important to note also that though weak in correlation, moral support from parents is significant in cognitive learning of the students, thus it simply means that moral support coming from parents are very essential for the students to become even motivated to learn and achieve more. Moreover as stated in the results, the involvement of the Home learning Partners also has a significant relationship towards the Values Formation of the student, thus it can be concluded that values should start at home and parents should be the ones to teach and inculcate moral and values to their children. And finally, when it comes to skills development, the involvement of the Home learning Partners in the blended learning modality is very essentials too. The result has shown that involvement in synchronous and asynchronous and financial support have a significant relationship in the skills development of the students, while moral support has a weak relationship but is significant in the values formation. CONCLUSION Based on the data gathered and the result presented, it is very evident to say that there is a significant relationship between home learning partners’ involvement in the blended learning modality and the learner's performance. Thus the null hypothesis stating that there is no significant relationship between the involvement of the HLP and students learning in the blended learning modality is rejected. RECOMMENDATION Based on the conclusion obtained the following recommendations shall be considered: 1.In cognitive learning, the Home learning partners must strengthen their moral supports toward their learners, in the same way, also the school must have different means of communicating students performance to their parents. 2.Values formation showed a perfect significant relationship among variables, to sustain and highlight its importance the school must conduct different programs and projects emphasizing the importance of parent involvement on the values formation of the learners. 3.In the skills Development, The home learning partners also must diligently and consistently show moral support towards their learners, simple appreciation and recognition will be a great way to let them know that they are appreciated. Teachers and parents should work hand in hand to build a strong skills foundation among learners.

POETRY CORNER A MOTHER Nathaniel D. Cruz An enormous grace from heaven above, A divine being, angel in the land, She is a mother, as pure as a dove. Her flight unexplained, like tears in the sand, And she doesn’t complain, faces it with calm. A divine being, angel in the land. Her caress comforts, her touch is so warm, She never weary, she singly worry, And she doesn’t complain, faces it with calm. She hides her story, never felt sorry, Whatever she does, she devotes herself. She never weary, she singly worry. Selfless and noble, with whole heart to help. Never ask for returns, it’s her unsigned pledge. Whatever she does, she devotes herself. If it need be done, she’ll walk on a ledge, If it’s for her child, she’ll pour all her love. Never ask for returns, it’s her unsigned pledge, She is a mother, as pure as a dove.

MATERNITY Daniel Miltz Inside my womb a creation Inspiring harmony into a dream To a new passion Bundle of joy Amusement gleam Leading to a new life direction The meaning of life living Open to its understanding Is being in breath with child-bearing Moving, spinning in a twisting gyration Strolling, generation to generation Now my baby dozes discreetly Strolling ventures on sand of time In nippy, beauty and vanity Waking, and in gravity From star to enormous infant charm

MOTHERHOOD ANALOGY

MOTHER'S LOVE FOR CHILDREN

Ency Bearis

Halyna Bokoch

My contemplation about motherhood Pertains to mother’s role to consider As mother is gem to similitude And reputable person and martyr Upon their part in this world, whatever Well, I’m not a woman for I’m a man Granted that difference physically I feel what mother feels, for I’m human As we have the same responsibility To take care, love child as parents that be But some mother’s role I’m not capable Mother as blessed with uterus by the Lord Me no womb to born child, I’m unable Give love to child thru umbilical cord While child in the womb, that I can’t accord Yet I adored mother when in labor With their courage, tolerance of pain When birthing of baby, not a joke either I pity them with their render ordain But mother is great, the pain to sustain My kudos to mother’s love from their breast Love nutrient given continuously To their infant to sustain for the best With Angel touch to baby tenderly Care given ‘til grown up, and say Mommy Mother with kindest heart so precious Parallel to more than jewel and blessed As motherhood roles valued and priceless And motherhood to honor, I granted Also be respected, love accorded

In the world of the best and God There is nothing sweeter, How a mother's love for her children In her heart, love never fades. Mother wishes happiness, cloudless destiny to children, Teaches kindness, decency, honesty to children, The mother wants the children Worthily lived among the people, They did good on Earth. The mother is ready to give everything to her children: Your wisdom of soul, your health, The warmth of your heart. Mother's prayer from evil, It saves children from cruelty, Because it has extraordinary power. Prayer strengthens the spirit, Evil turns away, strengthens faith, Protects from temptations, adds strength. Mom is like a waking spring Everything lives in its warmth. Mom is always there, Because to be a guardian angel She was ordained by God. Woman strong, strong-willed, smart, What a force of spirit impresses. Many worries fall to her lot. Overcoming any obstacles, She is beautiful and smiling, Like a spring flower!

SOULS ENTWINED Loreta C Bande

I will always remember the day you came Dawn, you were so tiny but enough to assuage The fear and pain puny in comparison to the dawn of motherhood You brought with all your firsts something for me to be proud of. I will always remember the day you came Julia, you astonished us with your black mole On the back of your right hand, a mark that says God answered my prayers after bouts of near miscarriage. I will always remember the day you came Victor, you struggled within me who fainted from dehydration You woke me and we both came through the ordeal To savor more days under the sun and in Down Under. I will always remember the day you came Laura, the hard days you had with coping with the little we had Which you contentedly bore with sleeping On my belly the whole night long. Uniquely, you blow me away. It wasn't any mistake of yours when we had not much to enjoy Keep your thoughts on the lessons we shared The blessings were limitless as the love You have brought to make my motherhood blissful No better times would I trade the angelic smiles I had watched in your sleep I wove dreams of your lives in a future Where you would be stars in your own rights Parents too to my grandchildren with a li'l likeness to me You all were tiny nuggets of hope that dazzled me In dark and light moments of motherhood I hadn't read in any book Pardon me for the brief times I brood over my own pains For you, I strived to be above my frailty as we journeyed in the flickering light, We were souls entwined to grow together Through the needfulness of your young lives That was not my dream for you, perhaps he didn't intend it for you too But that was what made us significantly strong and steadfast in our persistent memory.

IN MOTHER'S LOVE Adrian kelana Indonesia maybe this ink will never be enough to write a mother's struggle a woman who never complains in front of her children always smile even though sometimes his heart is sad let the stomach be hungry, as long as the children can eat tired can only be seen from the strokes of your skin also from the hair that tells about the silver color on the head from the tenderness of your love mother, you raised us your children you keep walking support our footsteps to the way of God with your motherly love I love you so much mom diamond heart girl you show us the beauty of the world You also teach how to live life without you the world will be empty like darkness without a lantern Mother I wrote this poem for you stanzas of prayer in the language of love God always hugs you in love and affection

MOTHERHOOD CRIES

MOTHER'S FEELINGS

Swati Das

Chandra Sekhar Batabyal

The fire flew up flagrant Flames danced with smoke Blasts roared deafening The maternity ward In a war ravaged realm.

O' mother thou art a divine Avatar, Thou carrieth a baby In thy body long , Pleasures pains thou suffereath in tendem. Worries hunt thee the whole period, What the little lump to be after all ! It breaths in thy breath , It sucks thy vitals to live . Worries hunt thee day and night, Whether it is all right. Thou feeleath its kicks in thy belley , Thou thikeath it is all right. It sleepeath thou thikeath all nonsenses, Wheather it is in good shape. Labor pains arise , Thou breakeath the ceiling with shrieks. Happiest thou art it arriveath with a cry , Thrill of motherhood envelopes thy heart. Little later it winks wonderful, Thy whole world is blissful. Now thy be all and end all Of thy heart's doll. Nourishing, caring thy all time passion, To see the little man hale, cheering, stout one. In its smiles thou smileath, In its pains thou create. No words suffice to sing thy glory , Thou the creation's glorious mystery.

The chaos of blasts and smoke Subdued the cry Of a mother- to- be Who clutched her belly Carried on a stretcher Away from the burning ward. She moaned in agony While some across the world Posed with baby bumps, Maternity shoots of pride. Docs labored To keep her alive But she knew The worst She was losing her baby The boats mounted manifold Bricks and mortar flew around Her pelvis crushed Her hip detached Urgent caesarean delivered A still- born She lay unconscious Rigorous resuscitation failed. A bombed hospital Two nations at war Motherhood, a collateral damage So easily said A piece of news for many A brutal moment of reckoning Motherhood nipped in the bud War guffaws In the rain of bombs Motherhood cries, along with others.

MOM DON'T LEAVE YOU Dr.Okram Shakuntala Mom don't Leave you That your mom possesses Leave not the mind Where your name is engraved Leave not the soul That your mom has I deserve the happiness On your journey of life As a woman i too want And it is your mom's promise Not to leave you caring With a sufficient knowledge Leave not the stars And leave not the moon Those are shining brightly In the sky of your mom Leave not the sky Your mom has made for you And go on leading In the world of inspiration Not leaving the hope Not leaving the desire Not leaving the will That a loving heart Leave not the love Leave not the love Your mom has offered For you My Sweetheart

MOTHERHOOD Maya Retna Kumar When it bloomed inside the womb Showing the two red lines the positive sign Motherhood in her awakened Then it galloped in the machine Lying on the table she enjoyed Rhythm growing in her ,the beats of love Quickening she felt months few after It giggled her emotions motherhood of She ate, breathed, walked and sang for Again the motherhood in her acted Filled her heart with joy When realizing her bodily changes She filled with nectar and felt it And the motherhood in her thrilled Breaking her bones and muscles she screamed Motherhood in her let her smile even in pain When she saw her baby smiling near her. She fed her baby and bathed him in love Sang lullaby and made stories to sleep him Motherhood in her taught him to walk and speak Sing and dance and play and wept with him too Whole life the mother of , crowned for him As motherhood ,that she loved and adored. That few ended in old age homes Or burnt as pages with criticism or jealous Some begged for food and clothes Ended lives in kitchen few Less were adorned in the kingdom Appreciating motherhood as what they deserve Motherhood is the hood that protects You , me and the whole beings safe Throughout life remind we should......

PHILOSOPHY OF A MOTHER Halima Khan Pakistan Creation is the blessing of God Mother is bestowed with the capacity of creation Mother is the epitome of trust and love Motherless child is that facing the misery of life Mother is the confidence of a child Mother is an institution of training and learning Mother is the garden of all colors of life Mother is the reflection of beauty Mother is the best example of humanity Mother is the world to a child From offspring to baby birth motherhood is the nursery of childcare From birth to adulthood mother is taking part of a guide and counselor Mother is the nurse of a family ailments Mother is the grander of her children nourishment Mother keeps the relations in order Mother is the fountain of devotion and sacrifice ·

A KINDER EARTH Margaret Karim My child Best of me In her blood Courses history Dreams Of past generations Entwined With future aspirations Combined hopes A thread of unity Interwoven in each Maternal tapestry Our children Given love, worth Will work towards A kinder earth

I PAY HOMAGE Shamain Simeon Aotearoa (NZ) Welcome to the Year 2022 Where Mamas are single, teenagers too They are Widowed, divorced, raising the kids Doing all the same things thier Mamas did Caring for family but on thier own Holding down jobs, fingers worked to the bone Coming home to cook to clean with a smile Waiting for that moment to rest a while Children at rest she plans her tomorrow No time to waste on pity or sorrow Lunches to be made homework to be checked Sort the materials for School projects Sports gear in order, timetables sorted Juggling Family and work unsupported Parent Teacher meetings she must attend So kids and teachers she does not offend Her Motherhood includes keeping her job When Friday arrives she just wants to blob After she's finished her evening routine Drops on the couch stares blankly at the screen She ponders the week that is yet to come Thinks about outings for kids to have fun A picnic at the beach something that's cheap Then stretches and yawns and falls off to sleep To all the Women loving Motherhood For many the source of all that is good I pay homage, honor, respect to you Thank you most humbly for all that you do

THE JOURNEY OF A MOTHER Amrita Mallik Is it merely carrying the baby in the womb, That is the ideal definition of motherhood? Or is it, how you carry yourself inside out, While dealing a baby, even if it’s an animal, That frames a woman as the perfect mother? Motherhood is the basis of the entire world, Hence, it should deserve reverence and love, A little understanding and support, too, Instead of disgrace, criticism and neglect, And, pushing the mother to the edge of the steep cliff. Remember, motherhood begins with a new born baby, Expecting, therefore, flawless actions and handling, From a mother, is meaningless and irrational, Supporting her throughout is humane, And, doesn’t reduce your prestige or shine. Motherhood isn’t the same for everyone, Break the bias, therefore, and remove the filters, Stop making a mother’s life a living hell, Where she is tied by ceaseless shackles, Of orthodoxy, patriarchy and hypocrisy. Motherhood is a journey like life, Neither it’s a destination nor the start, A woman is still a woman without motherhood, Commitment to happy living is also acceptable, The struggle, anyway, is real and valid.

TENDER LOVE Afruj Jahan Mazumder

When you were growing into my womb I hope I will be the best mom I feel every beat of your heart That's a really awesome start. When you were born I started protecting you like rose thorn My love always surrounding you like sunshine You are the only daughter of mine. You are the light of happiness in my deep sorrow Pure oxygen in the air wings borrow The magic of surviving the battle of life I teach you every day thrive. You are the only sun of my blue sky The brightest moon on dark night Morning dews on green grass Only hope during frustration. The flame of my love It will keep you warm forever Like heavy rains during severe drought I will wash away all your sorrows and pains.

ANGEL Kenneth Munene Mother hood isn't easy, But women get strength from the sky, They do house chores while pregnant, Yet they don't lose hope for a moment, Like an angel she protects her unborn creature, Her love is second to none in nature, She endures pain to give birth, She welcomes her baby on earth, She's always on time to breast feed,, Fulfilling her baby's every need, Showing him how to walk, Teaching him how to talk, She keeps him warm in the cold, She'll still be mum even when kid is old,

Some have more children, But they make home feel like heaven, For her family she'll sacrifice, Her arms always open for an embrace, Mother is someone a child can trust, She takes care of her kids at any cost.

BLESSED TO BE A MOMMY Elizabeth Joseph Trinidad and Tobago Sweet memories have I of my own dear mother that in my heart will forever stay Sacrifices she made to ensure our happiness, always with a smile going her merry way. I never understood her excitement when she saw that we were quite content She did what she had to do never a complaint instead filled with hope and merriment. When I became a mother, the pains of labour made it so real The love you have for the being you created sometimes felt like a dream so surreal.

The sleepless nights you encounter from newborn stages and as they grow You never truly grasp the concept of caring for another until you have your own you'll know. Motherhood never came easy to me, tried as I might for ten years it escaped me, Miscarriages and stillbirths plagued me until four children my womb was blessed by thee. From that moment on, my world that I knew in no way remained the same, You heart expands to more than you imagine and just pure sweet love is to blame. As you watch them grow and go through life stages as a Mom you realize That God blessed women with a great responsibility to guide, teach and lead until her own demise. Great is the blessing and perhaps not all women may give birth to their very own, But the ability to be a mother does not only come from seeds in your womb that were sown. Women who are able to nurture and care for a young one so sweet and innocent They are Mother's too in every sense of the word and they too were God sealed and sent. So as we embrace the memories of our own mothers and become mothers of our own one day, Remember motherhood is lined with some challenges but so many euphoric times will come your way..

To experience this life as a mother will throw out all theories you feel you know Each situation is very different and in each stage of life like our babies we too bloom and grow. Prayer becomes important moreso as a mom on bended knees Asking God to bless, guide and protect your children, as they meander through life's rough seas Oh what a joy and honour, that Motherhood has brought to so many ladies Biological moms or Aunties ensuring that we do right by our babies. God truly has a special plan when he appoints us to care for a child, Watching and protecting best we can, praying endlessly all the while. The best title in the world to me, Mom, Mommy, Mama or MA, It melts and tugs the heartstrings whether your little one is near or far. Be proud and filled with love dear moms out there as we do what was God's purpose and plan Ask for continued wisdom and grace as we fulfill God's destiny as Moms who are upbringing mankind, the future of this land. 30

CONTRIBUTORS’ HUB

REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLISHING

• -100 poems for poetry ( maximum) • -short stories • -novels • Children’s book • Magazine • documentary, thesis, research, dissertations (200 pages maximum for excess, charges will be added for every 100 pages excess) -compile them along with; Biography, Dedication, and info about your book -send to lovelypoetess95@gmail.com BENEFITS - Your book will be published internationally/locally with the National Library of The Philippines registration certificate -you are given a copy of your book (for Filipinos) and will give you one TIME CORRECTIONS once you receive your sample book and want to change slight errors.. -for authors outside the country, pay for shipping TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1. Freedom is yours to print copy your book in volumes, sell and launch them as you wish, profit is yours( printing should be under the publishing house only) we also have our own website at: https://poetryplanet114433.wixsite.com/website-1 1. our official bookstore at: https://611c9a51097c9.site123.me/ 2. You cannot republish your book from other companies or publishers unless your publisher has written consent. 3. You have no right to remove your publisher’s logo from your book ROYALTIES: (IN AMAZON, LULU, BOOKEMON) and our official online bookstore 1. If someone buys your book, you will receive 60 % royalty (from your revenue) that is transferable in your bank account, your publisher will be needing your bank accounts 2. Amazon only deals with the publisher, your publisher will be sending your royalty with a 25percent tax deduction. - You can only claim your royalty fee once it reaches 50usd 3. Royalties will be sent every 3 months if someone buys your book 4. You will be updated monthly for your book sales CHARGES UPON SENDING YOUR MANUSCRIPT FOR PUBLISHING Foreign authors: 90usd-publishing 30usd- editing( for 100 poems) other books will be charged differently with 0.50usd per 100 words 30usd- NLP registration TOTAL- 150USD payment mode: Paypal address: lovelypoetess95@gmail.com Filipino authors: -4500php publishing -1500php editing for the editor for 100 poems book, 20php per 100 words for stories/novels/documentaries ETCH - 1500- printed copies for the national library of the Philippines -TOTAL FEES- 7500PHP PLS NOTE: Once you have your NLP registration, you are no longer a self-published author. Call the publisher at 09554960044 for more details!