Hearing it then for the first time

                                                                            Author: Satish Tandekar
Image: A New Born (here)

The day dawned early
A day earlier it had all started
She complained of searing pain
Inexperienced I could only lament
Heard say around the abdomen

Seeing it then for the first time
Twisting and turning, grimacing
Heavens dropped from the sky
This has to be it, I sighed

I stepped on the gas
As fast as I could manage
In no time she was in good hands
Snugly between the sheets
Assurance all round
the doctor, the nurses

"This is quite normal...."
they said in unison

Intermittent pains through the night
She took it bravely
That I could see

I got back early the next morning
She had been rolled in
I made a request to be by her side
Garbed in the hospital attire
I held her hands and waited

Immobile, manacled more or less
She could still manage a smile
Dr McCoy, eminent gynae
Kept repeating,

"it’s ok, love
It’ll only take a minute, love
Hold  your breath, love
Push,yes,push,love
There you are!"

A clattering of sounds followed
Scissors, stainless steel containers
Shuffles of feet
Movements of nurses
A slap on the butt
A shrill cry
Oh! such a wonderful sound

Hearing it then for the first time
What an accomplishment!
From my loving wife, Shadah
My first-born
Adura a gift of divine blessings
A bundle of joy

Gospel at d'Verse Poetics -let us labor