Bringing Life To All

Thunder and lightning ruled the black night
As the frightened young mother struggled 
Beads of sweat ran down her pretty face
The old midwife calmly sponged off sweat
She hummed a lullaby to soothe her pain
Praying that the husband would be back soon
Five miles to travel in treacherous weather 
Seeking the one doctor for hundreds of miles
Twelve hours of labor now seemed like days. 

Fell trees and shaved off roof tops, toppled by whipping winds 
Rising rivers were swollen, and flooded make shift roads
Endless rain poured like there would be no end
Meanwhile her unborn child lay bridged as it battled for release
Suddenly the door burst open and the doctor rushed in
His clothes sticking to his skin; there was no time to change 
With his palm he felt her forehead asking pertinent questions
He and the old midwife tried manually to turn the exhausted child
At each attempt, mother’s painful cry was heard in the distance
She gave one guttural scream and usherd her baby into the world
The child, born limp, barely breathing as the mid wife took her away

He starred into her eyes, and knew that she was beyond his help
He brought the new born to lie in her mother’s warm arms
The silence was noticeable; the raging storm had passed
The sound of light rain, now a comfort, gently tapped upon tin roof
In a soft, weak voice she called her husband and managed a smile
Then she blessed her child with words from a mother’s heart
“May you be a light, swift as lightning when days grow dark.”
“May you have wisdom and foresight beyond your days” 
“May your heart nurture and remain open to love”
“Like rain, may you bring life to all “
“Born this stormy night, your name will be “Rain”.

~*~
By    : Audrey Carey
Note: Imagination at work:) Written for Constance's "Rain, The Story" Contest.
My imagination took me to some little village in Africa.  This scene is played out in 
many villages where health care is non-existent.  However, there's always, thanks 
to God, a wise, caring "midwife" to help mothers during delivery.
Everyday, countless miracles are performed by God through "midwives"!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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La France Avatar
January 17, 2011 at 12:11 PM
Sorry for the late congratulations on first place, just wonderful, your name change sort of confused me, but I finally figured it out, now if you want the Certificate of Achievement in Poetry which was the prize for first place in my contest, could you send your mailing address to me by soupmail~~
Brown Avatar
January 14, 2011 at 9:11 AM
Congratulations Annalise on your win in A Rambling Poet's contest "Rain,The Story". Love, Carol
Dietrich Avatar
January 13, 2011 at 3:52 PM
Audrey, I remember loving this the first time as well. Congratulations for your magnificent writing. LUv, Andrea
Radke Avatar
January 13, 2011 at 12:22 PM
This is beautiful. So well written. Such a marvelous way of telling this story. Congratulations on your winning placement in the contest. It is well deserved with this wonderful story of life, mother's love and the dedication of midwives. And you are right, miracles happen very day, all around the world. Best wishes. Deb
Johnson Avatar
January 13, 2011 at 9:37 AM
A sad and beautiful story. Congratulations. Love, Joyce
Richards Avatar
January 13, 2011 at 8:17 AM
What an amazing and wonderful story you have written....I missed this one earlier, Annnalise/Audrey (I love your pick of the new name too~!!) I am so happy to share this spot with you....your story is like watching a wonderful movie...I could see it all !! :) Congratulations!! love, Carrie
Mehta Avatar
January 13, 2011 at 6:23 AM
Congratulations on this first place win in the contest of Constance, Annalise
Gorelick Avatar
January 13, 2011 at 4:42 AM
I guess Im confused about the name change..whatever..this is stunning poem..glad it was such a big winner. BG
Onclaud Avatar
January 13, 2011 at 3:07 AM
the myth entices!! kudos for this great win, anna... very exotic!! :)
Mehta Avatar
January 12, 2011 at 8:53 PM
Many Congrats Audrey on big win with this imaginative verse.Best wishes/Luv - Hitendra Mehta
Pettit Avatar
January 12, 2011 at 8:44 PM
An absolutely superb submission. No wonder you shared the top spot in the contest with this one! Congratulations on your win!
Sweetheart Avatar
January 12, 2011 at 8:18 PM
Congrats Annalise on your first place win in the Rain Story contest with this exquisite piece luv.. enjoy your special win for a very special top spot write...my friend..
Devonshire Avatar
January 12, 2011 at 8:02 PM
Oh, I'm so glad this took first place, Dimples. Bravo!! Love you, Carolyn
Knop Avatar
December 31, 2010 at 1:04 PM
A remarkable write, Audrey. I have been to many countries of the so called 3rd World sm your imagination is perfect. Wish you best of success in Constance's contest! I guess I'll also close to a flue like Carolyn. Didn't feel so well tonight but I have to keep up with Soup. Love, Gert
Melody Lightning Ink Avatar
December 31, 2010 at 10:35 AM
Great write here, wishing the best of happy new year. good luck in Constance's contest.
Devonshire Avatar
December 30, 2010 at 8:46 AM
Oh, I love this entry for Constance's contest, Audrey. The story behind it is so moving and vividly detailed. You make the reader come to love "Rain." Forgive me for not reading more; I've got the flu and it's been keeping me in bed. Love, Carolyn
La France Avatar
December 30, 2010 at 6:50 AM
thank for supporting my contest
Brown Avatar
December 30, 2010 at 3:52 AM
I enjoyed reading your excellent poetry this morning Audrey. I will be back after the New Year to read more of your poetry. Wishing you a very Happy New Year. Love, Carol
Dietrich Avatar
December 29, 2010 at 9:26 PM
Audrey, this is wonderful to go in this direction with the challenge. It's unique! When you say "he stared into her eyes and knew she was beyone help" were you referring to the mother or the child Rain? That part I was eager to know which you meant. Anyway, what a really cool ending to this story. LUv, Andrea ps. yes, my poem was based on Titanic.
Mehta Avatar
December 29, 2010 at 8:05 PM
Audrey - You seem to have "delivered" a winning baby here with this vivid narrative. Seems for Paula's Contest ...Best luck for big win. Thnx for liking my work"Silence not just opposite of Voice" Happy New year to you & your family. Luv/best wishes.....Hitendra Mehta
Sweetheart Avatar
December 29, 2010 at 4:22 PM
Wonderful entry Audrey and elegantly penned my friend..good luck with luv.. and enjoy a Happy New year... such grand expressive lines in this piece...
Rhinem Avatar
December 29, 2010 at 3:56 PM
Smile ~ "Your Treasurous Splendours This, 'Priceless Heart & Soul' Dipped In The 'Immaculate Oils' of, 'Divine & Gracefully Gifted Beauty!!!'" ~ "My Love & Warmth to 'You Always' &, All You Love, 'Forever,'" John! ~ Smile, "Have A Very 'Blessed & Beautiful' Evening 'My Dear, Precious Audrey Carey,' Amid 'The Mid-Wife Personifications of, Beautiful &, Everlasting Love;'" Bye My Dear; "Amazing!":) ~
Rhinem Avatar
December 29, 2010 at 3:44 PM
Smile!!! ~ "Wow, 'Your Beauties' Verse, Gripped My Heart & Brought A Mist to My Eyes; 'Rains Song'" ~ Well, "This," is one of the most "Beautiful Poems" that, my humbled heart has "Ever" read "My 'Dear, Precious & Priceless Audrey Carey;' Sooo Much 'Love' Inside of 'Its Beautiful Colours;' Lyrics From 'A Beautiful Soul;' A Fave of Course!!!" ~ Again, it Is truly wonderful to behold "Your Many Splendours" still, softly & tenderly brushing these magnificent canvas' with ~ ....Cont:)
Austin Avatar
December 29, 2010 at 2:35 PM
Did the mother die? It would seem so. Very tender and loving piece. Have a good New Year. Love, Dave
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