I Didn't Scream at Birth

Her aversion to water
I'm sure
comes from having been drowned
at birth –
in the womb.
Being thrust out of security
the greedy baby sucked too soon
filling her lungs with the water
of the womb.
Life came hard that day
as a still-born baby
blue as if drowned in a river
emerged
still life
means death
and for all of three minutes or more
remained dead
waiting for the midwife's pronouncement of
still life
means death
still birth
no life
and still
life/spirit lingered
water poured forth
gushing a small cupful
of infant mortality
SPARKLED in the sunlight
SPLATTERED against the living room wall
and with it
fate sealed the bargain:
This life is yours

(c) Liz Willows 2000