ALTER EGO

post birth blues; uncertainty plagues

ALTER EGO

 

She aches

The aftermath of routine birth

Minutes sink

Her notions of life ahead

As if drowning during a desperate attempt

To reach the shore

 

Fondness befits animosity

Estranged from her family

A one-night stand perhaps

Her dubious mind coils

To fright, baseness

 

Baby howls, incites her insanity

Her bedraggled core heaves

As she fumbles with her quagmire

She is alone with child

Whom she has come to despise

The moment the fire is out

Cages the ruinous decision

She is about to shape

 

In a short time, in true darkness

She waits until the streets slumber

Mutely, she scrutinizes a harmless place

To forsake her child

 

As she walks away numb

Bare hands quake

Shrieks of doubt come to pass

Her alter ego emerges in shadow

She is implored to have a change of heart

The cosmos stills, momentary hush

Alas, she inhales new breath

 

Reverts to retrieve the infant from the bin

As she and her alter ego

Launch a new overture to life.

 

 

Author's Note

This is an unfortunate occurrence that happens with all ages of women.

Reviews

[Ken Simm.]

Intricate and full of message. In all ways socially and poetically remarkable as a creation.

[Betty Hermelee]

Wow! A great review, than you from my heart!
Best,
B.

[William Michael Reeves]

Whew! That was heavy. I had just replied to your review of me and signed it with my alter ego, came here and saw your title thinking that's funny. But I found no funny here. And I am so glad I can't know what it must be like to be that desperate. And glad that you and others can write from a women's perspective to help men like me understand and feel about such an intense experience. One of the strangest movies ever made is kind of about this subject only in reverse. Dad is faced with a child he can't deal with. 'Eraserhead'. Your poem had me thinking about that, besides the stories I've seen on the news. Powerful poem Betty!

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks W. For an in depth review.
Best
B.

[Gee]

My sister had 2 kids in he late teens, two fathers, before deciding she wanted to enjoy her life without the ties of children. My mum took them on as her own and raised them having already raised her own seven kids, this done without the help of the two useless shites she had married and divorced.
My sister then went on to have 3 more kids, these she kept, this though being the final nail in the coffin of the relationship with the two that were raised as our " brother and sister"
Tis so easy to get pregnant but not so to cope with the consequences.
Hi Betty, apologies for prattling on, Hope you are well.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank so much Gee, seems like your sister was a bit overwhelmed with so many kids...I read and know about moms who "throw" their kids away, horrible!!! Hope you're well!
Best, B

[Relic]

Yes, especially the younger ones. I've never understood how anyone could do such a thing. Why not give it up for adoption?

The ones who have a change of heart, who go back, I'm sure will keep it a secret for the rest of their lives and not share it with the child they almost threw away.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank for reading Relic, appreciate it.
Best, B

[Lisasview]

Oh boy did this ever give me chills..
Much like a story (which I always enjoy)
Reverts to retrieve... oh gosh.. good for her!!
Very very good write dear Betty..
Lisa, now in Spain

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Lisa, and glad you're still writing and reviewing from Spain...I hope you are enjoying a beautiful culture. Best, B

[Lisasview]

Yes, loving it here.. There are stupid issues but we are working them out.. Never, ever planning to leave..
L

[Betty Hermelee]

Wow, that’s amazing!

[Dave Brown]

a difficult scenario for that poor soul left alone with nothing but screams and howls
was it not you who remarked on the aftermath of these situations gone wrong, fouling the waters of the Nile
that one night stand, too easily dismissed by the long gone male partner

[Betty Hermelee]

very true remarks Dave, and thanks always for your reviews.
Best, B

[Patricia Wedel]

An Overture to Life... the most precious music is a Mothers Heart.
Be still and listen to the new heart beat.... Prayers ascending ...
Pat

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks you dear Pat; I knew you would find the "light" in this poem.
Truly, B.

[Patricia Wedel]

Amazing poem, Betty... I am overwhelmed to think of what so many people are going through in this Life. I know there is Hell on this Earth... I only hope and pray... there will also be in some ways... Heaven on Earth. tenderly, Pat

[Betty Hermelee]

Hope so too🌹

[R.J Calzonetti (Siniste..]

Interesting poem, I don't have much to say, but I see that you are making progress in your poetry. Well done.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you very much!!!

[Patricia]

I was a maternity nurse for many years and saw over and over the struggle of young mothers trying to cope with their new role. Many just children themselves thinking this new life would give them love that they desperately wanted but babies don’t give love until older and they only have needs that become screaming demands that is too much for these mothers to handle and they give them up sometimes and it is a huge problem despite efforts to provide education before they even make that decision to have sex. This paints a very real picture of what is happening and it is so well written. Excellent writing B.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank so much P. Yes and I do volunteer work for kids whose parents have given up babies and also was a Dula for an abortion clinic, so I see problems with keeping newborns. I love your review!!!
Hugs, B