Of Course by Maggie Devers - For My Daughter

Of CourseMaggie DeversHer feet were purple when she was born,The cord pinned between her shoulder and me.Half a dozen extra doctors and nurses had converged in the room moments before,All of me open to all of themAs my doctor, the one I started with so many weeks ago,Back when she told me they don’t use the tongs anymore,Suction cupped her tiny head and yanked,I breathed,And the baby entered this world with a mighty howl.In seconds all the contingency actors vanished.The center of the room, the universe,Was a tiny creature, fists tight, mouth wide, screaming.Of course she was born the only way she lives—stubborn and fearless.