Outside the Womb

There are things mothers teach
that can't be taught
while swimming in the womb
like how to lie
when you can't keep a promise
like how to smile
when saying canned spinach
tastes good.

Day to day things like brushing teeth
and not picking noses at the table
make for civilized offspring
however, these are not necessities
when living in rural areas
and mothers often overlook such
trivialities while milking cows.

Love, on the other hand,
mysterious and hidden in the dark
emerges at birth with awesome wonder.

That fierce miraculous moment
when mother meets her babe
that first miraculous breath
outside the womb.

Joanne Cucinello