special issue 1
// p o e t r y
Honey and Cocoa
by Shoshanna Cortes
I hated my Cupid’s Bow.
I thought it was too deep. Too
Pronounced. Too masculine.
Today my two year old traced it with his
finger and called it
Waterfall.
I’ve never loved it more.
My legs are muscled and thick
Thank God
they can bear the weight
of two weeping children
asking
Carry me, mama.
The boys in middle school always wanted to arm wrestle.
And now these arms can wrestle any thrashing toddler into any diaper.
I once wondered if
my eyes are too brown
to be beautiful.
My children have eyes the color of
honey &
cocoa
two ingredients most
ancient &
coveted.
about the author // Shoshanna Cortes
| Shoshanna Cortes (she/her) is a mother of two young boys (4) and (2) living in Phoenix, Arizona. She has a Biology degree and Master’s in Education, but her passion has always been writing. Her poems are dedications to mothering through grief and the incredible love her children inspire. |
Instagram: @withlovefromshosh
wildscape. literary journal 