On the day I was born
the sun was out of alignment
listed to the left, then fell
leaving the world in darkness.
What is it my mom and dad
asked each other as their heads
turned first one way, then another,
my mother’s tear fell onto my face.
What happened, my father asked
the Dr. who stood there staring back.
Don’t ask me, he replied, this has
nothing to do with me.
My grandfather turned the other way
walked out and shut the door softly
to make his getaway. My grandmother
looked at me with her kindly sad eyes.
What is this, what happened, each
one there implored the heavens.
A nurse took me in her arms
It’s a girl, she said, just a girl.
On the day I was born there was silence
as they wrapped me up to take me home
I’m sorry Jake, my mother said,
Can you ever forgive me?
3 comments:
Judy, what prompted this poem? How sad it is. Sad because I know people can felt/feel that way. It breaks my heart.
I am one of 4 girls and Daddy could not have cared less.
What a poem about the day of your birth....how sad to feel you really were not wanted as a girl. I think about this happening in India or China, but not in the US. Especially knowing you already did have brothers.
NEVER "just" a girl! Never "just" anything.
Post a Comment