Maybe Baby

[everyadventure]

Week four:
Two lines! Pink, faint, but there nonetheless.
The next nine months flash before my eyes:
Stomach expanding in stop motion photography,
skin stretching, an inflated balloon
and just when I'm about to
POP
I see the delivery (how quick! pain-free!)
and peer into your face, all wrinkles and beauty.

Week six:
I sit on the church pew, hands folded in my lap
and imagine you, round and firm as a pea
nestled safely in warm darkness.
After service, handshakes, embraces
and I think, again and again,
"I have a secret!"

Week eight:
I wonder if, within your watery haven,
you feel as seasick as I do?
But I resolutely drink a glass of milk
and visualize it flowing directly to you;
your belly fattening in gratitude,
limbs plumping like ripening fruit.

Week ten:
There is no week ten.
My body betrays me
My heart is clenched,
my fists,
my teeth,
I believe if I hold myself together
I can keep you here.
Don't you know I want you?

But you're lost, as though
you never existed.
You're nothing but
a Maybe Baby.

[hillwalker]

Tragic -so neatly summed up in that question 'Don't you know I want you?' - which is why the little 4-line snippet at the end was a little too light-hearted after a heart-rending tale.

H

[PrinceMyshkin]

Withdrew my comment because I didn't feel it was helpful.

[Delta40]

I agree with Hill but I do like the 'Maybe Baby' concept and this is a very moving and inspiring way of describing and dealing with miscarriage EA

[Jerrybaldy]

The end, as Hill points out, does feel lighthearted, but is too good a pun to go unused.

[qimissung]

It's your decision, but I would omit those last four lines. It's sweet and moving until then.