Trimesters of tiresome expectancy,
Long nights of back-ache and insomnia.
Hours of frenzied preparation for the new life to come.

And her water broke in gear for that time
When with pushing and groaning she would new life bring.
And in pains she brought, in a flash he was there.

Sweat pouring in torrents
Eyes bulging form their sockets
Nails digging into moist palms
Minutes, hours of gruelling contractions

Here this minute, gone the other.
Immaculate, brand-new life snuffed out in a second.
He was barely there and now he's gone.

Oh how her heart broke .
When he was there just for a flash,
When he passed through life for just a minute.

Brand-new life turned stone-cold by death.

©Nkiru Njoku, April 19 2003