Maternity + 

Proud? + 

Perhaps⁠—and yet + 

I cannot say with surety + 

That I am happy thus to be + 

Responsible for this young life’s embarking. + 

Is he not thrall to prevalent conditions? + 

Does not the day loom dark apace + 

To weave its cordon of disgrace + 

Around his lifted throat? + 

Is not this mezzotint enough and surfeit + 

For such prescience? + 

Ah, did I dare + 

Recall the pulsing life I gave, + 

And fold him in the kindly grave! + 

Proud? + 

Perhaps⁠—could I but ever so faintly scan + 

The broad horizon of a man + 

Swept fair for his dominion⁠— + 

So hesitant and half-afraid + 

I view this babe of sorrow! + 