Silent Cries

"The silent cry of a newborn, the one that no one hears. Can bring a grown man to his knees trembling with fear." Every new parent has a fear of making a mistake The combination of excitement and exhaustion is an emotional roller coaster There is nothing that compares to giving birth to a newborn that cries silently. It begins at the hospital, the parents can not rest. They must learn to be nurses, therapists, special need advocates, and pharmacy techs. They have to know what it took years of schooling for others to learn before they take their baby home. At home fear sets in. Mom and Dad have no time for each other. Their house is always busy with compassionate strangers coming in and out. You can't spend a day cuddling with your newborn in yellow pajamas and messy hair. If you finally find a moment to sip your cold coffee from the morning, That's when it will happen. You haven't checked the crib for half an hour so you rush to her side Beads of sweat around her collar, moisture's matted down her hair. Her mouth is open wide and her tongue is quivering but there is no sound. Her face is not flushed, her tear-stained cheeks are bright red. Her tiny fists are clenched and white and her legs are shaking. You wonder if she is just upset or is something hurting. She has a soiled diaper but that will have to wait. You can't give her a bottle or take her to your breast. Your newborn baby is fed through a tube leading to her stomach. You can't risk the chance of aspiration which to your recollection means fluid in the lungs. Step by step you suction the mucous that has built up in her trach. Her eyes open wide are piercing right through your heart. Finally, she relaxes her tiny body goes limp in your arms. An occasional gasp is her only movement as she has fallen asleep. There was no time to console her and now you sit and hold her. Thanking God for every breath she takes. 02/01/2021 The quote is by this poet. Written for: Break My Heart, Why Don’t Cha Poetry Contest Sponsor: Edward Ibeh