Bloody birth wriggling from the womb.
Cries of life after the first difficult breath.
How to grasp this new thread
Tightening itself within the tapestry?
As each breath increases awareness
Grab greedy all around…
Suckling, pissing, shitting.
Each action becoming simpler
As struggle gives way to new ease.
Yet no time to rest…
As ease gives way to new struggle.
Lifting my eyes from this screen,
I recall lifting my fat head in the crib,
Pushing against the bedding,
Turning over:
Awake…
CALL ME MAGGIE 