Desperate Birth

I entered the barn
In the darkness of night
Intoxicating smells of life
The plaintive bleating of a mother in pain

Trusting doe eyes flick toward me
Struggling to understand
Twisting, pulling, efforts vain
No progress made

Muscles ache, back sore
Mind busy, body still
Racking, reaching for answers
A thought whispers

Head connected to neck
Neck connected to chest
Chest connected to leg
Leg connected to hoof

But thought arrives late
Last struggled breath: life over
The dark tongue falls: at peace
But still for the mother I try

Follow the head, the limp lifeless head
Feel the neck
Not connected to this leg
Urgency enlivens my hands

Push, push the head back
Reach deep, struggle long
Rearrange, manipulate
Delivered: a son to a mother

Again, reach deep, pull firmly
Rearrange, manipulate
Delivered: one lifeless
Kissed, enwrapped with love

Sweet doe lovingly nuzzled
Gently feeding
Swaddled young one
Dried and well

The peaceful sounds of a mother at rest
Reaches out and touches me
I creep out in the stillness

I leave into the night