Wednesday, August 22, 2012

At St. Joseph's


For Three Word Wednesday, prompt words are amuse, excite, sincere

At St. Joseph’s

Everything is white, glaring
Like the noon sun off

Of silent snow-clad hills.
Boxes full of moving parts

Startle and beep while
Robed attendants chat—

There is no quiet here. With
Amused knowing nods

They approach
The mystery as if

It makes no difference,
As if life and death

Do not excite since
Both pay the same.

It is time. Ready
Or not, permission unasked,

She’s wrenched from all
She’s ever known.

With one earnest
Gasp she finally adds

Her sincere cry.
We do not come

Laughing into the world.

17 comments:

  1. I got your drift at the line: She's wrenched from all she's ever known. This is great! I love the humour in your last line too. Wish I had the wit to write stuff like this.

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    1. Leigh, I'm glad you were able to see some humor in this--existence can be a scary and troublesome thing. Thanks!

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  2. I like the white rolling like petals through this piece..maybe mountain tops are more sacred in a way..less tarred by too many hands..churches are rich grounds for words..and people..you found them here...jae

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    1. Jae, Thank you. I think that all places are holy, or can be. I just find myself drawn to forests and hills, I guess.

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  3. Ditto on Laurie, amazing write. Had no idea this would be about giving birth but, you have hit it on the nail. Their pay is the same, life or death. Some wonderful imagery all through this.

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    1. Bren, That part about pay being the same came very late in the process--in reality, I don't think everyone in medicine is mercenary, but still . . . Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. This is wonderful. Sometimes I think it would be wonderful to return to the womb,,,,,,this
    "It is time. Ready
    Or not, permission unasked,"
    says it all.

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    1. Ellecee, Thank you. I like Heidegger's (translated) term for this, "thrownness." The idea that we are just kind of tossed into existence, unasked. We have to make the best of it.

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    1. Sheilagh, I hope you had a nice little break--good to see you back! Thanks for your comment.

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  6. Laurie, Thanks for your kind words. I'm happy you liked it!

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  7. The maternity hospital is yet another place to get inspiration and if you are the father, a foreboding of a completely different lifestyle. I loved it.

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  8. Robin, Thanks. Children change everything, that's for sure. Sometimes even for the better.

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  9. Gautami, Thanks for stopping by. I'm happy you think so!

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  10. a stunningly beautiful piece. You start so peaceful, add a bit of noise and then her cry. Who wouldn't cry at being ripped away from the only world the have known.

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  11. RMP, Thanks. I started out to write a peaceful quiet little verse, but wasn't feeling it. Happens from time to time.

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