wildscape. literary journal

How to Love Your Season of Motherhood
by Cam McGlynn

One person’s pleasure is another’s prison.
Weighted blankets and sheets tucked in
make my legs fight off nightmares. Listen,
when not granting wishes, I know other djinn

must love the snug feel of their tiny lamp
walls, like weighted blankets and sheets tucked in.
They curl up in spirals, and don’t mind the damp.
When not granting wishes, I know some djinn

think of showers and chores as me-time.
Must we love the feel of shining our lamps?
Aren’t we allowed to miss sleeping sprawled out? I’m
curled up in a spiral. Don’t mind the damp

towels left on the floor. I have no reason
to think of showers and chores as me-time.
No, this is the time of the smothering season.
I’m allowed to miss sleeping sprawled out. I’m	

begging the towels on the floor: Give me a reason
to make my legs fight off these nightmares. Listen,
this is the time of the smothering season.
One person’s pleasure is another’s prison.

about the author // Cam McGlynn