birth

she places her hand
on the white round
skin, taut like a drum
about to burst,
with a small heart
beating within. and
he sits on the bed
with her, his hand,
there too, together,
as close as they will
ever be, before or
after the child
is born. and it
is a golden moment,
eraseable by time,
or circumstance, by
divorce or death. this
is what it was about.
this child soon to
be born into both
of their lives with
joy and purpose,
beyond comprehension.