Birth in (almost) Two Words

by Sharon Tjaden-Glass

I worried. I wondered. I called. I waited.

I came in. I checked in. I sat. I waited.

I napped. I rested. I listened. I waited.

 

I paced. And paced. And paced. And paced.

I rocked. I listened. I breathed. I waited.

I rested. I breathed. I breathed. I waited.

I walked. I breathed. I breathed. I walked.

 

I winced. I grimaced. I breathed. I flinched.

I rocked. I leaned. I leaned. I rocked.

I crouched. I wretched. I puked. I moaned.

 

I clutched. I gripped. I clawed. I seized.

I groaned. I moaned. I moaned. I groaned.

I reasoned. I pleaded. I begged. I shrieked.

 

I cursed. I cried. I cursed. I hated.

I doubted. I despaired. I questioned. I bargained.

 

Until I surrendered.

 

And then I believed.

 

I moaned. I opened. I rested. I moaned.

I opened. I rested. I moaned. I opened.

I opened.

I opened.

I opened.

 

I pushed. And pushed. And pushed. And moaned.

I pushed. And pushed. And pushed. And moaned.

 

Until I saw.

 

I touched.

I remembered.

 

I felt. I cuddled. I nuzzled. I cradled.

I calmed. I soothed. I welcomed. I whispered.

I cried. I sobbed. I thanked. I cried.

And then I loved.

And loved.

And loved.

And loved.