Ode to pregnancy
Egg releasing, sperm reaching,
Period missing, Daddy kissing,
Bosom swelling, tears welling,
Face glowing, vomit flowing,
Appetite increasing, coffee ceasing,
Breasts sinking, no drinking,
Cells splitting, clothes not-fitting,
Foetus tumbling, tummy rumbling,
Belly expanding, hard standing,
Belly button popping, bits dropping,
Lungs wheezing, stomach squeezing,
Ankles puffing, breath huffing,
Brain exploding, life imploding.
Thoughts wondering, mind wandering,
Name thinking, time shrinking,
Breasts dripping, scales tipping,
Blood racing, muscles bracing,
Clock ticking, baby kicking,
Baby urging, hormones surging,
Labour pending, pregnancy ending,
Heart drumming, contractions coming,
Pain searing, faces peering,
Mummy screaming, tears streaming,
Baby loading, bum exploding,
PUSH, PUSH, PUSH.
“Being at home can be fun, insulating, relaxed, boring or isolating ... depending on how the day is going.”*
School holidays are almost over in my part of the world – six long weeks of noise and squabbling balanced by hot, lazy days at the beach or the pool with lots of daring exploits and laughter. Many of our days were spent at home, basking in simple pleasures like baking, playing games or outdoor pursuits – trying to relax the everyday routines of school-morning bustle and ‘having to be somewhere on time’. However pleasant, I must admit to being relieved that life gets back to normal next week, and I can reclaim some of my own time for writing again!
* From Being Mummy by Anne‑marie Taplin published April 2007