BABY’S BEGINNING
And though she knew
the marriage was doomed
in her womb there was a seed
that grew steadily
until that glorious night
at the Chinese place
The Quickening
The moment a soul
enters the body and
like Elizabeth’s child,
baby leapt for joy
(so did her mom!)
Blessed with a gig in
Bermuda, piano bar
No star, but paid the bills
(and his too, as he
withdrew into his shell
back in Queens)
Every time mommy
played Duke Ellington
baby’s feet kept time
Fast songs or slow
Kicking perfect rhythm
My covert metronome
And when at last
she emerged from inside
her eyes so wide, so black,
I knew they would stay brown and
I knew we would be together
weathering any storm
Mothers who nurse know
the most beautiful sight
is the top of the baby’s eyelids
as they shut tight
working on their task
nuzzling at the breast
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Image by Mahalie, used by permission of Creative Commons
For Sunday Scribblings, “In The Beginning…” Also at my poetic playpen, Poets United!
Sharp Little Pencil 
vivinfrance
Oh, I’m with you with all these feelings. Wonderful.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Viv. I know you know the subject well! Amy
booguloo
Beautiful.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Michael! Amy
booguloo
beautiful
Diane Turner
Bittersweet and lovely.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks for picking up on the bittersweet. Being in the third trimester and realizing you will be raising the baby alone is indeed hard to handle, but God brought me to it, and God helped me through it… Thanks, Diane! aMy
Stan Beatty
I love the rhythm of the tiny feet..excellent
Sharp Little Pencil
I swear, it’s true. She grew up to be a professional drummer at 9, but I insisted that her dad not exploit her, that she have a normal childhood. Now she’s taking occasional gigs but focusing on art, where she is tearing up Laguna Beach Institute of Art and Design, one of the best schools in the country. Lex and I don’t care if we eat beans every day, her education is stellar, worth every penny! Thanks Stan, Amy
Steve E
Amy, your little pencil was certainly ‘sharp’ (OUCH!) for this one!
Thanks.
PEACE!
Sharp Little Pencil
Guess you’re referring to the delivery? Yeah, I was a screamer, I admit it!! Amy
Lindy Lee
Innocent & trusting, making little swallowing sounds we never forget, whether breast or bottle feeding…
Sharp Little Pencil
It’s true, Lindy. I remember my sister, who worked at a bank, having to cede to bottles at six weeks and not being able to pump because her job was so stressful. Hey, breast is ideal, but not everyone has the milk. We do, fortunately, all get the same view… Amy
kaykuala
Looking at the pic and going through the verse, I get that wonderful feeling again. While physically Mom nuzzled but Dad could feel more of the joy. A strange current enveloped Dad and I could relate to that. Great verse Amy!
Hank
Sharp Little Pencil
Hank, love your appreciation for women’s role as well as men’s. I think ultimately he was unable to share me and that threw him into depression, along wiht other factors. But my pregnancy, my transformation, threw him for a loop and he didn’t recover until long after we parted. We’re friends now, thank God! AMy
jaerose37
What a tender and beautiful piece Amy..the journey starts well before the first day..Jae
Sharp Little Pencil
I truly believe that “quickening,” the first flutter of the baby, is the Spirit entering, as though perhaps waiting until the baby is viable? I had two miscarriages and never got to feel that until Riley, who was “in with velcro.” Thanks for this, Jae. Love, Amy
purplepeninportland
“covert metronome” – excellent!
Sharp Little Pencil
You know, I had this image of the “spy” aspect, the little being playing the only drums she possessed – her feet – and “covert” came to mind. Glad you liked that, it was my favorite line, too! amy
purplepeninportland
“covert metronome” Love it!
sreeja
yes so sharp and sweet…..
Sharp Little Pencil
Welcome, Sreeja, and thanks so much for commenting. I appreciate it and will search out your blog now, if you have one! Peace, Amy
tigerbrite
Enchanting. I think the little star chooses at conception.
Sharp Little Pencil
Tiger, I’ve often wondered about that, only because childhood turns out great for some… but was hell for me. Yet perhaps I was strong enough to get through it, to turn my thoughts into art, and there were wonderful things about my parents. They just had illnesses that were never addressed, like incest and alcoholism, you know? Thanks for this. Peace, Amy
zongrik
nursing is soooo great. it feel so cool. makes you so in touch and close to your baby
show’s about to begin
Sharp Little Pencil
It is the single most transforming experience, along with the whole journey from that first pregnancy test to watching the balloon grow… to labor. A peaceful time with newborn, and feelings I never felt before. Sometimes I would actually cry for happy while nursing… Thanks for understanding! Love, another mom, Amy
Judy Roney
Wow! This takes my breath away. You caught the love and timing of that precious being.Beautiful!