You never see the tears that she's about to cry --
instead she turns her head to hide them.

You never see the times she stills away to her secret
closet to pray --
instead she invites you in to just talk.

You never see how her shoulders are sagging
from heavy burdens --
instead she gives you those shoulders to cry on.

You never see the aches in her heart
when her children rebel --
instead she gives them more patience and love.

You never see the hand she pulls back
when she's rejected --
instead she continues to lend a "helping" hand.

You never see the aches in her hands from grasping
and holding on when she feels like giving up --
instead she folds those same hands and prays even more.

You never see the aches in her knees and forehead from
praying for others --
instead she spends even more time on her knees.

You never see the fears she has of being
a "disappointment" --
instead she prays for more power and a sound mind.

You never see any of these things
and she doesn't want you to--
After all, she's only "a mother".

"Paradise lies beneath those tiring feet".
"Three times deserving of her children's attention than that of the stronger sex".
'Not even 'ouf' must be signalled as abuse to her'.

"Oh Allah have mercy on them as they were compassionate to me during childhood!"