[RCL]

A medical procedure?


Breech Birth

Within their blissful water world,
most swim headfirst, and drawn to air,
when slapped, they cry, begin to breathe.
But flipping back, some stroke against
the tide, a futile flight from being
born. And breeched, buttocks bruised
to bluish black when forceps grip
and rip them out, they sorely sense
their end. Muting mandrake shrieks,
they join the legions born headfirst,
all swiftly borne from breathless wombs
through air to dry and airless tombs.

RearView Ralph