Mother Poem by Mário de Andrade

Mothers have existed,
And this is quite a problem.
For, so they say, one´s mother
Upsets all sorts of things;
´Tis true she takes on her
Our sins and our mistakes
And it would be much better
If there weren´t any mothers.

However that may be,
When one is finding life
Most difficult, most live,
There´s no one like a mother.
For putting up with us,
Letting us hide our face
In her familiar lap.
"What is the matter, son?"
Of course she knows all right
And yet she asks her question
Pretending she doesn´t know.
Who tell her all sorts of lies,
Which she affects to believe,
And so your sorrow becomes
A mystery between you two.
Do you not see that no lover
Nor other woman alive
Ever sill understand
The truth that we confess
Behind the screen of lies!
Really only a mother…
Really only that lady
Who even while she is holding
Her son´s hot, angry face
Lovingly to her breast,
Pressing against her body,
While smelling his personal odour
Yet still remains a virgin
As does her son as well…
O virgins, give yourselves,
That you may have the right
To that virginity
Which only mothers have!