Photo: Zaid Abu Taha on Pexels.com
She is early in birth
And early in breath,
Independent in all.
She’s come forth barely cooked
But is here even so
Stubbornly grabbing hold
Ravenous in her howls,
In a world just a tad
Unprepared
For her life-hungry spirit
And determined
Big soul.
[Dedicated to all the little ones who arrive exactly at the right time … for them. … and to all who work with them, to make it the best possible time and outcome.]
For the dVerse Poetry Challenge: Early in 44 words
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Na'ama Yehuda 
Beautiful and poignant.
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Thank you! 🙂
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Wow. So polished balanced by so real. Loved the voice and the line coming forth barely cooked. A much enjoyed read. Inspiring.
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Thank you, Henri! What a kind comment!
Premature babies always strike me as a little under-cooked, having been ‘in the oven’ a little less time than expected (not to mention that practically speaking, their lungs are often under-developed and their nervous system isn’t quite as ‘wrapped up’ in myelin as it is in full term babies). So they have a bit of that “not quite ready to be here” look about them, even as they very often let it be known quite clearly that they ARE here … 🙂
Again, thank you for the comment!
Na’ama
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Love barely cooked….
But oh, what looks!. I can smell her newness. 😚
Pat R
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The photo is a stock photo but oh, boy, yes, can we smell the newness on this one! 🙂 Nothing as heart-melty as a newborn, let alone a tiny early one, who are, essentially a little undercooked ‘buns in the oven’ …. Thank you, Pat! Na’ama
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There was one on the news yesterday here. He was barely over a pound, the size ..he fit into the palm of an adult. He survived and is doing well now.
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Oh, wow, micro-premies are a whole other category of small. There are many longterm issues associated with very low birth weight babies. I see and work with some of them (not in the NICU, but a little later): many of them have to manage learning issues, vision issues, metabolic issues, medical-trauma issues, processing issues, and other neurological and motor issues. Nonetheless, many do far better than anyone would’ve expected, given how early and how small they’ve been born. It is quite amazing! Na’ama
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That’s a whole host of possible problems. I hope she fares well. She was on the news because she was finally going home after 5 months in the NICU.
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I hope she does well, too! 🙂
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Beautiful poem. I can feel the vitality in that little baby!
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Am so glad! So often the littlest ones cast the biggest puddle of light! 🙂 Na’ama
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I was a premature baby and feel a kinship with your little one. I love the phrases ‘early in breath,
Independent in all’ and ‘come forth barely cooked’ – did she have that fresh baked bread smell?
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Well, she certainly seems nibble-kisses worthy! 🙂 Glad you’re around! Na’ama
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my eldest was a premature baby and she had the biggest appetite for life – she was early then and still early for everything now – this made my heart smile
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🙂 I’m so glad that this made your heart smile! Best feedback to get! 🙂 Na’ama (PS they can be quite amazing little packages, these little ones, can’t they?)
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yes they are the best gifts in tiny packages, i bless the day I received mine, she is amazing in every way possible, from a tiny package she now has become my rock. your poem was very lovely.
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🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your joy with me. 🙂 Na’ama
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So well written and with loving care for those who arrive early.
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Thank you, Janice! 🙂 What a kind comment! 🙂
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Nice descriptive phrase: “life-hungry spirit”
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Thank you, Frank! 🙂 So they are! Na’ama
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This reminds me a little bit of me. I was born early but have a strong spirit, even though it took me a while to find it.
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It is not a gentle beginning to life–even under the best circumstances–and it makes sense that it might take a while to find one’s center. Prematurity often comes hand in hand with Medical Trauma, high pain sensitivity, and difficulty regulating overwhelm (not surprising, given that instead of being born into cuddling arms, one is born into an environment that for all intents and purposes is an overwhelming and often painful one). It doesn’t mean people cant do well — many do, even very well — but it is not an easy start. Good for you for finding your strong spirit! Glad you’re around. 🙂 Na’ama
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Love it… those arriving early seem to have a special spirit and strength
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Some certainly do! They’d have to, to get through a difficult beginning! Na’ama
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