(This is a seven poem series that was directly inspired by my younger brother, Sam. I wrote a different poem based on my perception and experiences with him at each stage.)
In The Womb
The skin of mom’s
stomach is stretching.
Dark lines
scatter around her middle
like canyons.
She tells me
that it’s you.
Right now
you are a surprise
in a present
waiting to be opened.
No matter how much
Mom struggles to walk around
or annoys Dad with her revolving moods,
there is an anticipation
that is felt by all of us.
I trace the quilted fabric
of your new baby blankets.
Grandma made one
just for you,
just like she does for all
of the grandkids.
I wonder if you’ll like it.
I wonder if you’ll like us,
I wonder if you’ll like me.
