a poem of remembering

One year ago.

Tight stomach, swollen ankles.

Ready to meet him.

Ready for our life to change.

One year ago.

Contraction, pause,

Contraction, pause,

Contraction, contraction, contraction, hospital.

One year ago.

Epidural, please!

Josh, hold my hand.

Relief.

One year ago.

Waiting and waiting and waiting.

Seconds tick away.

And then more seconds.

One year ago.

Push, Charlotte.
Push again.
Push!

One year ago.

Heaven in our arms,
Sweet, piercing cries.
You.

One year ago.