Reflection of labor: A Sonnet

My first Sonnet (2007)

In 2007, while in graduate school, I took a class in poetry.  Not only was the class required for my degree, it was the first time I had ever had to share my poetry with an entire class.  I was nervous and skeptical most of the time but my professor, Frank Montesonti, was encouraging and brilliant in his guidance and own poetry as well.  Thank you, Frank!

Nevertheless, I wrote my first Sonnet during the course.  Poetry is a secret love of mine and I often revert to in times of deep reflection and insight.  This sonnet is a reflection of my labor with my second daughter, Luna.  I dedicate it to my wonderful midwife, Sheila.  It was my first home water birth and it changed me.  I honor the power of birth...

Sage Femme

I must wait for present to become past

As the wind blows and I watch the heavy showers

The day becomes dim and the skies overcast

My body takes over and I begin to fall

I tumble into the land that they call ‘out there’

Time is still and meditation takes over

The only breath that I can watch

Blowing like daisies from my mouth

My full womb is saying nothing but ‘surges’

The pain is like watching the departure of birds

They come and they go and they sing

I chant ‘let it go’ and ‘let it be’—

‘let it go’ and ‘let it be’—

I must be patient and the patient

That does not watch the wall clock

In this meditative hour—

I trust the process…

And the sage femme simply waits.  

by: vanessa jubis-2007