Written piece
Tears Modified
Elsa Pascal
United Kingdom
About this piece
Tears Modified is a factual account of childbirth many years ago. It is an expression of the joys and tribulations experienced in the process that resonates throughout the Commonwealth and indeed throughout the world.
Tears Modified
In fitful slumber she lay
Presumably Pethidine-numbed
Shot, jabbed into her left thigh, a long time yet for this
Her first labour the midwife decreed,
Leaving her to her own devices.
Single room, white-washed ceiling, high, narrow couch
Loud and fierce the drum roll
Ricocheting internally against her abdominal wall.
She felt the surge, the urge, as huge waves gathering speed
Came crashing
Down against huge boulders on the shore
Accompanying fleeting, excruciating pain.
Up, off the couch jumped her twisted rolling self
To the loo struggling to ease the discomfort
On it she sat oblivious to the gushing stream
Of broken waters descending to saturate the polished floor.
At the same time the 'we-have-all-the-time-in-the-world'
Sleep-deprived midwife decided to check
On the supposedly drug-induced sleeping prima gravida.
An empty couch silent in greeting, pandemonium ensued.
The stuporous, swaying, semi-conscious patient
Finally located.
Makeshift transport of many hands lifts her on to trolley
And wheeled into darkened room that
Suddenly flooded with light.
Many voices barking orders
Imperative to get this baby out
Of meconium-stained liquor.
Pass the forceps; Push, Pant, Push!
Finally
Ah! Success! It's a boy!
He's flat! Stimulate! Ventilate! Make him breathe!
Paediatrician stand by! Whisk him off to the other side!
Hurrah! Life begins! Hear him cry!
Back to mum
Record blood loss
Stitch her tears
No more Pethidine
Still in stupor.
Yet she felt every stitch
Entering and going out.
And silently huge raindrop tears streamed
Down closed eyelids
Flooding cheeks
Tears of joy
As well as pain.