i smile as i watch them

they’re pregnant
but they do not look like me
something about how they walk
it’s like they’re not expecting the worst
like they’re planning for all to be well
like they are not afraid

i don’t know if i ever walked like that
with my shoulders so far back
and head so high

part of me was always looking behind me
waiting for a bomb to go off
now every piece of me is on alert
searching for sign of trouble

these women only look ahead
with hope and expectation

i smile as i watch them
and ask God to bless them

only He knows how long they have
to keep walking like that