Bundle of Joy

Sharp piercing pains rendered me breathless I double over, crouching low like a panther. Fire, searing fiery fire leaped at my sides, licking my backside. I groan and writhe, growl and curse! only the ticking clock dares to surpass my loud moans. Sweat trickles down my backside, flowing down, forming rivulets as they meet and scamper downwards. Another tormenting wrench! This time a wounded lion’s roar echoes. And so it went on— Doctors and nurses mumbled words meaningless in the face of my helplessness! I was gripped in the throes of labour pains; my body betraying me as it struggled to give life to another. Seconds, minutes, hours ticked away. and finally at the eleventh hour, my energy spent, my body bushed, she burst through-- piercing the birthroom with a keening protest! I lay down my head, too exhausted to even offer her a proper welcome but a weary smile.