Volcano
I climbed a volcano today
to give you fire. Fearlessly
because the molten river crumbled
beside me, my rubber soles
immobile and melting over
hollow black rocks, my lungs burning
from the smoke pyre that billowed
out of the livid mountain core.
Over my shoulder, the sun set
in lava and plum hues and the
darkness turned the crust lip of peak
to shadow. Your father held my
hand as he guided me blind back
down the steep trail, night air
cooling the sweat from my body.
You, a flimsy pea, in abdomen
forming organs and spine, climbed
a volcano today. You will have
fire, to breathe, to spit, to
stand on, unflinching and bold.
-Johanna DeBiase
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Pregnancy Poetry | admin February 28, 2009
