Poetry by Alexandra Newton Rios and Artwork by Narges Anvar
The language of a young bird
is flight
the preparation
the take off
the planing, gliding, soaring
flying alone and with others
singing, singing, singing.
The language of motherhood
has been a giving
the gestating
the carrying from far away distances
to give each child what each may need
to begin on her own to reach her dreams.
As a mother you were no different.
You gave and gave to a little
yellow-bellied quetupi who had fallen
from his nest in a thunderstorm
onto your wooden doorstep –
umbral in Spanish word as a threshold to more –
as if it were your child
only the little yellow-bellied quetupi
had been an unexpected gift
to feed and shelter until it could
take hold of its life
and be free as we all are free
to be our best
for this world to fly.
Giving is not so easy
to keep silent when necessary
to think of others and not yourself.
[Note: Madari in Persian and Maternidad in Spanish mean motherhood in English. Madari/Maternidad is a joint project between Rios and Anvar as mothers about motherhood. Rios writes a poem and sends it to Anvar who paints an answer back. The painting featured is titled “Quetupi” using acrylic and lace on handmade paper.]
Alexandra Newton Rios was raised in New York City, holds an MFA in English from the Writers’ Workshop and MFA in Translation in Comparative Literature from the University of Iowa. Nueva York Poetry Press recently published Poemas de Georgia/The Georgia Poems, one long poem to Georgia O’Keeffe. Mother of five children, she ran the New York City marathon in November 2025!
Narges Anvar is an art & design teacher, artist, and graphic designer. She received her BFA and MFA from Parsons School of Design. She lives and works in New York City with her family. Together with her husband and two daughters, they enjoy creating art, playing musical instruments, going on hikes, and snowboarding!
