If I should have a daughter
I will tell you that your birth was celebrated with tears and relief
There was no mourning
Your father will not suggest we try again in case this time the results differ
I didn’t search for my father in yours
My daughter you come from a long line of nomads
I won’t teach you to settle where the ground is arid
Keep moving, find a place where the rain kisses the grass green

If I should have a daughter
I will tell you that your heart will be broken thrice
Once by platonic love
Second by a romantic lover
Third by me, your mother
There will be a day where I will let you down
Where change is too far ahead and I’m no longer moving
Forgive my shortcomings

My daughter dare to break my expectations
Don’t carry my shadow, stand in your own
If I should exit before you walk down the aisle
I hope that you love yourself enough to know when to walk away
If I should have a daughter
I will tell you about the treacherous men
And warn you even more about the women who consider another woman anything less

If I end up having a beautiful son
I will teach him cuss words in languages where women are not the insult
I will teach him cuss words that do not include diseases
I will teach him about the diseases of the mind
Passed from generations
The one where his brothers and uncles are said to be superior of his sisters, aunts and mothers

I get questions about why I dare to bring life in this dying world
Because we need daughters, women who came from women who understand that the men do not get the last day
It is women who hold new life
Dear to their hearts
Grow it, warm and safe for months
Until it’s ready to face the seasons
My daughter your body is your own and never anyone else’s
It is not the possession of your first lover, nor of the politicians and nor of the gods
Any of them
If I should have a daughter I will confess my countless mistakes
And man did I make some
But you my daughter are the best thing to ever happen