MM&M: The Scent of Birth

Here is the current Midwifery,Mothering & Me post, a poem. In my thousands of photos, a simple picture of a breeze pushing a curtain was not to be found. So, peaches will have to do. Enjoy!


May all babies be born into loving hands...

 K. Michelle Doyle, CNM, NYS LM
www.localcaremidwifery.com
www.localcaremidwifery.blogspot.com

The Scent of Birth

The scent of birth is a heady perfume  

Its base note is loamy- earth, sweat, blood 

Aquiline top note - soft, clear water, salty tears, grassy newness 

Between another layer floats, subtle and persistent -clean wax of vernix 

The scent of birth surges  

Baby greets mother 

newborn hair anoints nipple and lips 

The scent of birth stays  

paperwork is done 

midwife's bags repacked 

The scent of birth lingers 

clinging to scrubbed hands and clean clothes 

It follows me home 

Crossing under lintel 

I hold out my wrist 

"Honey, smell this"  

He sniffs 

He shrugs -nothing there 

Vernal scents push kitchen curtain 

Lacy dance 

Wet earth, fresh cut grass, ozone, earthworms, damp blossoms

The scent of birth is here 

It was here all along 

~K Michelle Doyle

May all babies be born into loving hands