scale

we’re six months deep
into this pregnancy
and last night
she tells me
that not only
can he hear
our voices
but he can
see bright lights
if you shine
a flashlight
against her belly

so she does this
and her belly
jerks

she does it again
and her belly
jerks again

and I think of myself
every time
the sun
shines through
the curtains
or the womb
of my bed sheets
and I kick
and punch
pointlessly
against
the new day

if only
we could
turn off the sun
for a few more
moments
of darkness

then again
life is full
of impossible dreams

but fortunately
it’ll be a while
before
I’ll have to
tell him
to shit
in one hand
and wish
in the other
and see
which one
fills up faster