I’ve known you
for so long
I’ve never met
you.
You sway and
roll as I sing
But you’ll never
let me sleep.
I wake, you
sleep
I sleep, you
wake
And now the pain
begins.
Midwife Mary
strokes my hair
A trance takes
me far from home,
Warm water
bathes my moans
And I writhe and
sway a working rhythm.
My tongue is
parched, I ask for juice
At home in my
bed, a familiar smell,
Quilt sewn with
loving hands of old
Wraps me in
familiarity.
He paces,
worried, wanting to take
The pain and
labor upon himself.
But a mother’s
work is deep within
And the rhythm
floats on in colors.
Soft music plays
Or rock and
roll,
Whatever helps
me push the plow
Of labor pains
in which I am drowning.
But Mary pulls
me back again.
She brings my
focus on the happiness
The pictures,
the music, the pressure from my back.
And looking
straight into my soul
“Now push” she
says and I comply.
It’s easy, it
feels better, I can.
The hours pass,
but I don’t know
Through sweat
and blood the world has gone.
My tank on
empty, “I can’t” I cry
But Mary says I
can.
A smile,
encouraging
Again, she says
to push.
Mother holds my
hand,
He holds your
head,
And frightened,
pulls you into the world.
And all is gone
except your face
A love ignited
more than all.
My baby here within
the circle of my grasp
On this your
first day of life.
Very beautiful! I wish I could write as eloquently!
ReplyDeleteI think I actually wrote this before I was pregnant with Charlotte. I might have to write a new one now that I have a little insight!
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