deep in the hospital 
an x-ray room 
bone-cold 
the intern straps 
my tiny son 
stripped to his diaper 
into a plastic tube, 
cinches it tightly 
around his chest, 
his skinny arms 
forced high—
his screaming begins 
leave now, I’m told 

forty minutes alone 
on a bench in the hall, 
skewered 
by his wailing, his howls 
that pierced the door 
I shiver, tears streaming—
I didn’t keep him safe 
a revelation of mothering 
I need to protect him 
from doctors 

—First appeared in the poet’s blog, the heart of the matter (6 May 2023)

Amrita Skye Blaine

develops themes of aging, coming of age, disability, and spiritual awakening. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University in 2003. She is the author of a memoir and three novels, and her writing has been published in twelve anthologies including five poetry anthologies. Blaine started writing poetry seven years ago at age seventy. She has the practice of writing a poem every morning at first light. Her poems have been accepted by Soul-Lit: a journal of spiritual poetry; Heart Balm; Delta Poetry Review; Braided Way Magazine; and The Merton Seasonal.

Author’s prose website: https://www.skyeblaine.com/

Author’s poetry website: the heart of the matter