Tuesday, 28 September 2010

On Watching The Birth Of My Son by Caesarian Section

ON WATCHING THE BIRTH OF MY SON BY CAESARIAN SECTION
Skin was slit like the opening of an envelope
A head with hair was revealed
Skilful hands worked with precision
Blood and water gushed, drenching sheets
And emerged a baby, alive and whole,
covered all over all green The cord cut
my baby son was carried to a table
Several seconds of intensive wait then
all in the theatre thrilled to the cry
of the earth's latest inhabitant
The pedeatrician pronounced him a fine seven-pounder
while the doctor finished his work and sewed the scar
They were wrong who feared I might faint
I was far too busy being overjoyed
at this wonder of creation to feel other
than the very best I have ever felt
A father proud of his son and his wife
praising his own maker and the doctors and nurses
who all played their part to produce
one more miracle
© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Oldham, 22nd September 1977

Publications

1978 Pennine Platform (UK)
1980 THE RAINBOW AND OTHER POEMS (Heckmondwyke, Fighting Cock Press)

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