Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


CAESARIAN BIRTH by PAULINE SOROKA CHADWELL

First Line: SUBDUED AND CLIPPED, A HOLLOW VOICE CLEAVES THROUGH
Last Line: WITH JUST A LITTLE PITY IN HER EYES.
Subject(s): BIRTH; CHILD BIRTH; MIDWIFERY;

Subdued and clipped, a hollow voice cleaves through
The haze that wraps me in pleasant lull of stress --
"All ready. Operating Room C-2."
My body lies with languid passiveness,
As something presses firmly on my face.
"Breathe deeply -- deeply," strange commands, absurd --
Then, gloriously free, I soared through space
With all the wide-winged ease of a swift bird.

My husband's voice -- "We have -- we have a son" --
Oh, wondrous truth whose shining ecstasy
Finds me in depths of dark oblivion!
And I, who knew not child-birth's agony
See Mary's gentle face, still calm and wise --
With just a little pity in her eyes.



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