the game delay

you saw a baby
being born once in
the back of an ambulance
a half sheet
raised
over the screaming
woman's knees.
it was when
ambulances
were long cadillacs
with sleek sides
like cars
with a slide out
ramp in the back.
you remember it
was painted cherry
red and white
with one fat bulb
on the roof circling
madly
as the siren wailed.
you can still see
the frantic pain
in the woman's eyes
as every kid
on the block stood
with glove and ball,
or bat
in hand to watch,
eyes pressed
to the windows in
frightening wonder.