tipping point

the pregnant
woman, licking
a double scoop
of ice cream is
almost to the tipping
point
of falling
face forward.
her face
is red and round
in the heat.
you pray that
she doesn't
pass out or go
into labor
while you both
stand in line
at the grocery
store. you just
want to get your
milk and bread
and get out.
she's holding
diapers and
baby oil under
her free arm.
you want
to ask her
how this happened.
or why isn't
she sitting
someplace in a cool
room waiting
for the baby
to arrive, licking
her ice cream
there.
why is she out
in this heat?