Birth

Birth

An uncomfortable twitch within her womb

On a sterile bed-sheet in a labour room

Causes a mother to squirm. The action begins.

She gulps gas and air as the monitor pings.

Head's in position – 'Push!' says the physician -

Needs no permission to complete her mission.

Puffing and blowing she screams out her pain

Swears to her husband 'Never again!.

Oh you wondrous pink and purple prune,

Squeezed and blown by grunt and groan

With sweat and tears into this bright world.

Your bubble's burst – snip! - your chord's untwirled.

Howling and yowling with trembling chin

You rage and rage and won't give in,

'Till quietened -, laid skin on skin.

Unconditional love from here on in.

Succour in suckling settles your cries.

Love exchanged through sympathy eyes.

Lips a taste in memory's store;

Smell a bond for ever more.