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A Baby`s Guide To Prospective Parents

by Barney 

Posted: 23 September 2003
Word Count: 157
Summary: The result of reading 'Guide to your Baby' books for the last 12 months. I fancied writing a version a baby (not mine!)could read about its parents. In the end it came out quite bitter. Can I just say that under no circumstances am I in this poem!


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When they are nine months away from being
They are at it furiously, her heels to the ceiling
And her fingers crossed. In pillows
(Perfectly positioned) and in God they trust.

Either that or his johnny has just bust.


When they are six months away from being
She knows nothing’s coming, apart from the weeing,
And so they break the news, ecstatic
And elated. How their parents have waited.

Either that or the daft twat is berated.


When they are one month away from being
She is increasingly bored of the waiting and seeing,
And the Thursday night group, and advice
Available in colour coded books.

Either that or in the pub cursing her luck.


When they are two minutes away from being
She hates, because he has no sense of the feeling.
When finally abated she wishes for a knife
Rusty and serrated, so he could know.

Either that or she’s been through it all alone.






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Comments by other Members



Tina at 12:25 on 24 September 2003  Report this post
I've read this several times now
It disturbs me - which is the power of it.
How often is this the case - a roller coaster of emotion - for some the most awful and for others the most tender and for others never known. I like the pace of this and wish that you had kept the original rhythm/rhyme of verse 1/2. I like the way it moves to the inevitable conclusion and how sad to know that many women feel so alone in this incredible process - thanks for 'birthing' this to the fore.
Tina
x

<Added>

AND I meant to add how many babies feel so alone in it too! Provokes a huge number of thoughts about what birth is/does to babies!

Felmagre at 13:35 on 24 September 2003  Report this post
Strange how we, normally, only look at something from one perspective until shown the other side by someone. Your poem has done this, provoking thought. Interesting!

Anna Reynolds at 16:11 on 25 September 2003  Report this post
Quite brave, I think, writing about the subject from this point of view, and being bitterly honest. Nice one.

spud at 11:39 on 27 September 2003  Report this post
Hi Barney

I don't know if its just me, but I found this poem darkly comic. The 'happy couple' perspective came across as being humourous,whilst the 'accidental parent' is just tragic.

Loved the idea behind it and the way the rhythmn drives it on.

Great stuff

cheers

Spud

mamma.africa at 13:32 on 02 November 2004  Report this post
nice idea, love the bit about the knife....
overall the poem is very funny and serious at the same time. make you stop and think, as poems should.

keep going

mamma.africa

Nelly at 12:09 on 19 October 2005  Report this post
Hi,

Picked it up on the random read. I found this darkly amusing, recently becoming a proud father myself.

Neil


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