FACING IT…

MY DARKENED FACE BRIGHTENS,
BECOMING VISIBLE FROM BEYOND THE LIGHT.
I TRIED TO HOLD IT IN,
THESE RIDICULOUS WATERWORKS.
I AM TO BE FRIGID. UNWAVERING.
MY WANDERING MIND DISOBEYS ME
LIKE A PUBESCENT CHILD, REBELLIOUS IN NATURE
IGNORING INSTRUCTION. I SHIFT
MY THOUGHTS-MY ATTENTION RETURNS.
I FOCUS-I’M OUTSIDE
THE CORRIDOR OF THE NICU
AGAIN, TRYING TO REFRAIN FROM
NEGATIVE OUTLOOKS.
I STROLL THROUGH THE HALL,
PEAKING IN SEARCH OF A LAST NAME
REFLECTING MINE LIKE A MIRROR.
I GRASP THE DOOR HANDLE;
I HEAR THE MONITORS STEADY BEEP.
A SMALL HAND CLINGS TO A NURSE’S FINGER
BUT WHEN SHE TURNS
IT’S PLACED ON A FAMILIAR BREAST.
LUNGS COLLAPSE, A FLICKERING BULB’S
STROBE ALLOWS A BREATH TO ESCAPE.
THE ROOM. MY WIFE IN THE ROOM.
A WHITE COAT’S APPEARANCE DRIFTS
TOWARD ME, THEN HER TREMBLING VOICE
ECHOES FROM BEHIND. I’M A RECEIVER.
SHE’S BEEN CRYING
IN THAT BED. IN THE ROOM
MY WIFE’S OVERCOMING WHAT’S AILED ME:
YES, OUR DAUGHTER IS ALIVE.