"STILLBORN"
Margaret Ann Waddicor 2000
(Written for a colleague.)
A little life
cut short
for what
for why
No worldly strife
you sought
your lot
to live
No sound
no tear
no laugh
no fear
Oh cruel fate
open the gate
that we may enter
and unite.
Last Few Words: Written for a colleague who harped on about it or years making our lives slightly miserable too, we 'celebrated' each year this death so I wrote a simple poem for her. She has at least five children, I heard later. Ann
Style/Type: Free verse
Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft
Comments
It is devastating to lose a
It is devastating to lose a child before it is ever born. Your poem was simple but had an ease to it. Just enough to help smooth some of those rough tear trails.
K.Mulroney
Oh cruel fate - indeed!
And yet.... One wonders what a life unwanted would be worth...
Good provocative write Ann! Timeous too, in such a careless world!
Boni
Almost 42 years ago, I gave
Almost 42 years ago, I gave birth to my daughter, there was a young woman whose child was stillborn, the cord wrapped around his/her neck. I asked the nurses why she was on the maternity wing, it must have been devastating. I don't know if they moved her since I was there only one day.
I sometimes think the soul changes its mind and goes on to be born to another. That life can not be *stilled*.
~A
I remember
After your electric pick me up comments for my poem, I came poking around to find some of you and started here. Well, the poem didn't burst my bubble, but it let a little air out. Short and very simple. Decades ago I lost through abortion the only child I almost had. Since much of my life since has been a screaming mess, I'm fortunate things worked out as they did. However, I would be hiding if I said I don't give "her" the occasional thought. Your poem brought some of that crashing back.
wesley
Maybe I should say sorry, I
Maybe I should say sorry, I haven't had any children, except in the kindergarten where I worked to give myself the joy of working with them the last ten years of my working life; yes it is definitely simple and as it was for a Norwegian to read.
My earlier poetry from the old site was much longer and well different here I haven't been so active recently, so you get a lopsided view of all of me!! OOps that sounds odd almost the inspiration of a more comic poem, the lopsided view of.... :) Luv Ann
Thank you for looking in.
poignant
these short lines impact as the loss of a child does, instantly and feverishly. i like your use of internal rhyme as it aids the flow of these sad thoughts wonderfully. though the piece itself is beautifully written, the emotions are terribly painful. i've lost two infant sons. i know the hurt.
~lori
Dear Ann,
I too know the pain of loss of a child. This is beautiful.
always, Cat