NATASHA

The only true miracle that we mortal beings are likely to see comes in the form of our genetic immortality—the gene transfer continuum, better known to you and me as a baby. Throughout human history, we have believed in many different deities and divinities, ranging from Greek gods to our present-day Corpus Christi. But when it comes to the real miracle-making capability, it's the female of our species that is graced with life-giving fertility. This poem is written for a close friend of mine who described the birth of his baby daughter as quite divine. He said she resembled a blue Buddha of death and then suddenly gasped and bloomed into life by taking her first extrauterine breath.