Chidbirth

Oh Lord that you would take this cup from me,
As I move into my fortieth week,
This child within me grows and wants to be
Born into the kingdom that I seek.

The pain has crept into my lower back.
My belly there below my bowels is wrung,
No faith that birth will come do I now lack,
Nor doubt that on my pain will it be hung.

The terror of the life that grows in me
Will shed this skin in full scream as it births,
And for this form that wraps around baby
The cries will sing ecstatic funeral dirge.

Let all this pain come now, for I'm full term
Remove now from this body spirit germ.