you make a soul
you made love
with the walls of
Mama's womb
you shared a space
I lived in alone
for nine months
years later
you played
you built
and you bubbled
her womb
with strength and love
for us
knowing there were going
to be many
to pay her with love
and kick her
when happy
and dance to the
rough music
she favored
during pregnancy
did you taste her hope?
when she shared her love
with you through the
umbilical cord?
did you float
when her hope
minced with your despair?
did you know,
Mama didn't know?
she thought
her baby was
heavier
than all the babies
she didn't know
there were two
she flew with hope
under her wings
for her first baby
but she had enough
to take two
under her wings
you left her
almost like those
ungrateful inhabitants
leaving abruptly
angry with the tenant
before she could
see you
you both lay
on Papa's
arms
one for you
and
one for you
you slept
throughout
he named you
and
he named you
he laid you
under the sands
buried you
prayed for you
a seed of love
sprouted
where you slept
touched
by his tears
do you know,
you make him proud?
he always said,
"they would be taller than me
equally strong
carrying me
when I fall
I would have one right here,"
beneath his left,
"and one right here,"
beneath his right
"if they were to have seen the light
of our world"
he is proud of us too
he loves his girls
like he loves you both
I love you too
do you love me?
Papa always said,
"you don't worry. they are two of the birds in heaven and they have already saved a space for you
and for her."
I believe Papa
and I know you love me
with a burn
like the one
that
Papa's hot tea
leaves
on my tongue
I love you dear brothers.
___
A/N: stillborn...and stillbirth.
©VioletEden
15thJune2017
Please Note: This piece was published in The Medley, a bi-annual literary journal which can be accessed at www.medley.in
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