Poetry by Charlie Zender

1

Miscarriage
for Them
For too few weeks they dwell In damp womb amidst her swell Helpless guppies growing strong Then Mother senses something wrong Fetal signs after fusion's heat Spur maternal drumbeats indiscrete Winkful nods between insightful friends Nauseous days tired sobriety ends Future family eager to know you Tickle the swell just to show you Sex, face, name, an un-writ book Privelege us with one brief look! Fragile life, vulnerable, vital Carry our love into the tidal Ocean of souls whence you chose us Fertility once easy hardly knows us Will we want to try again? Help us first accept this pain Promised giggles stilled again Sorrow stills beginnings' end

Lyons, Colorado January 8­9, 2005