a woman in labor before gathered
two support clumps —
one hovering, warm, within her reach;
one outside, passing the whisky
she has one ninja love grain;
our text message dings ring hollow
Image info: A nurse holds a newborn baby wearing a face shield in an effort to halt the spread of COVID-19 at Praram 9 Hospital in Bangkok, on April 9, 2020. Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP/Getty Images
Sijo form is 3 lines, but the formatting in this made me break them up into 2 lines for each line.
Inspired by Peter’s poems written in Sijo form, I decided to try and write one about my daughter in-law’s giving birth to my first grandchild this week. My son was the only person allowed to be there with her through it and no visitors allowed at the hospital at all aside from him. The new baby girl, the first grandchild on both sides of the family, is yet to be met by any of us.
Sanaa is today’s host at dVerse’ Open Link Night.
Tao Talk 
Birth of a new life. It makes me smile with the new possibilities.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Ali 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So exciting, Lisa! Mazal tov!!!
❤ ❤ ❤
David
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, David! I’m aglow with gramma pride 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
*hug*
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am unfamiliar with the Sijo form, but yo\ur poem spreads its arms wide within the brevity of the form. Your message is clarion and sweet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glenn, follow that link to Peter’s poem. He has a link to the form instructions (and you get to see his stellar examples of it!) Thanks for the kind words, my friend.
LikeLike
This is incredibly potent, Lisa! And fabulous execution of the Sijo form. 💖💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sanaa!
LikeLike
However it happened it’s good news! (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is. And she is the most healthy, beautiful little girl you’ve ever seen ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure she is!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lisa, Warmest congratulations! Good news is good news even in these hard times. She is just gorgeous ‘n sweet as apple pie! I can tell. 🥰 Best wishes to her parents.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dora, thank you! The image isn’t of her and her mom, but the baby in this picture is about as adorable as adorable can get ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
p.s. Thank you on the well-wishing. I will let them know 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats on your grand daughter, Lisa, such beautiful news, especially in these crazy times!😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Christian! 🙂 Life goes on…
LikeLiked by 1 person
How wonderful Li! Not being able to meet is tough, and I agree that sending messages seems inadequate, but soon you’ll be able to meet your granddaughter! 💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the encouraging thoughts, Sadje ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting Lisa. Covid has taken us back to the days when my boys were born. I was not allow in to be a part of the delivery back then.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sorry if you were denied that privilege. The main thing is everybody got through it. I was talking with my son tonight on the phone and he said some of the nurses stepped up into those places, even if they are desperately short-staffed with nurses. God is merciful ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad everything worked out for your daughter-in-law!
LikeLiked by 1 person
After 36 hours of labor they finally did a C-section on her. She is recovering nicely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful! That is a really long labor!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😦 I know
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on your new grandbaby! In time you will connect!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve got a big red circle around May 1. It will be the longest 2 weeks of my life!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sure it will! :>)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on your new grandchild. ❤❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Jennifer ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
that is really lovely! ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks much 🙂
LikeLike
Congrats again Lisa! How does it feel? I can’t imagine!
That is such a sad but happy picture…it should not be that way (the masks) but that is where we are…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Max! It felt good talking with my son this afternoon and he didn’t sound super stressed out. Things are smoothing out. I agree on that picture isn’t that a cute baby.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is…I’m so happy for you Lisa…something wonderful and positive in this time we are in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just got back from my 2nd vax. So far so good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good! I can schedule mine now…
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 I would avoid J&J (the one-shot.) They’ve suspended giving in MI for some reason…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yea blood clots
LikeLiked by 1 person
😦 I didn’t know why but so glad that isn’t the one they offered me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am also.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Reena 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on the new grandchild, Lisa, and welcome to the grandmother club! I hope you get to meet her soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Kim. In my 60s to finally be a grandma!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on becoming a grandmother! How I love the phrase ‘ninja love grain’ – I do hope you get to meet her soon also!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Ingrid. I *just* got my 2nd covid vax this morning, so May 1 is the safe date 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not too long to wait then!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations! May you meet her soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂 May 1 is the day.
LikeLike
That is the unfortunate reality of COVID. 😕 but a hearty congratulations to you Lisa. I was blessed with my one and only grandchild 7 years ago, my grandson. He brings me surprise and joy everyday. Never heard of this form, but I enjoyed your piece here, well written.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading and commenting, Rob.
You are blessed, especially living in the same household as he is. It’s only a couple of weeks before I can see her but but I’ve been deprived of the whole pregnancy sharing, baby showers, kibbutzing also. A couple more weeks…
The sijo turned out ok for a first try but it’s a challenging form and it doesn’t look tidy on the page the way it is.
LikeLike
congrats Lisa, how exciting but such a beggar you can’t be there to see her! You nailed the format and the pic says so much …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kate thank you. Haven’t seen you in a few days. Been on vaca? Or maybe I’ve been on mental vaca 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
no took a few weeks out for retreat, that’s what a meditator does 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah! Good for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope that soon we will able to catch up with everything we have missed during this year, and it is a good thing that some things still go as normal
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do also. Last night we (both sons, their partners, and M (the baby) had a “zoom” meeting of sorts (video on computer and voice via phone) but I was able to see her. Thank god for nature that “goes as normal.” It’s a saving grace.
LikeLike
our text message dings ring hollow
To think that these days texting is most convenient. But to show physical presence gives the strength of purpose to the occasion. A good close Jade!
Hank
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hank, thank you. Real beats virtual every time.
LikeLike