"The Baby Maker"

A fun trip into family life"

When I was eighteen I swore to be single

free to play and always mingle.

And later after all my friends had settled to married life

the poor beasts eternally chained to their wives;

I went home every night and dreamed in my head

of the beautiful girl who would soon share my bed.

 

Each night, I swear it seemed 

A different maiden would come visit me.

They were all gorgeous, glorious and kind

but none of them would get very much of my time.

Because you see I was not interested in settling down

and buying a home on a plot of ground.

 

Until one night in a drunken mood

I accidentally started my brood.

She was not my typical fare,

but I took her home anyway and treated her square.

We danced and played late into the night

then she left, gone from my sight.

 

I admit, I thought of her from time to time

which troubled me deeply, because I was in my prime

So another dear prize, I set out to find.

I needed a distraction to get her off my mind.

But she was sealed in my brain, different than the rest

and I saw her one day warming an egg in her nest.

 

Cautiously I approached her and bid her good morning.

She sheepishly smiled and said “glad to see you, darling.”

I wondered aloud at the roundness beneath her apron

and learned that I was indeed the unfortunate patron.

I must admit that I thought to bid her adieu,

but instead hurried to the Court House where we said: “I do.”

 

I bought a home for my new bride,

close to town and a train to ride.

A little cottage with two bedrooms

one for us and one for you know whom.

It was a lovely place, painted a shade too bright

and at times just a touch too tight.

 

Then one night in a raging storm

a lovely baby girl to us was born.

Her head was a little warped and wrinkled,

but her eyes were bright and I swore they twinkled.

A more beautiful story could never be told

than the birth of a child, bare and bold.

 

As the seasons changed and our fortunes grew

so too did the size of our bustling crew.

After ten years of marriage to my blissful mate

the size of our home had risen to eight.

Our tiny white cottage long forgotten,

for we had bought a farm only slightly downtrodden.

 

And there we lived peacefully for years

wiping noses and drying tears,

schooling and coaching our children along;

dreading the day when they would all be gone.

Until one night my bride stirred me awake

and another baby, that night we would make.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This is heart-touching becuz of the sparkling self-honesty thru-out. I love the way the narrator's attitude about being footloose & fancy-free is begrudgingly released, slowly morphing from a tone of "doing the right thing" to one of the utmost joy & contentment. You've captured the essence of this process of growing up, far beyond the actual life events, by showing so much about the mindset transforming. This is one of the best poems I've read all week (& I read a ton!)

[James]

Thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. It's funny, but this is not the story I set down to write, but once I started I knew exactly where it was going to go and how I wanted it to develop. That doesn't happen much with me. You got the message perfectly and I am so glad.

Thanks again.

[Carolynn]

At first I was a bit annoyed at the lack of respect (sorry I'm far too traditional) but I loved that it went to commitment and a happy life raising all those chicklets on the farm :) :) love a happy ending :)

[James]

I'm glad you stuck it out to the end. I didn't start out to write this story, but as soon as I started I knew where I wanted it to go. It is my favorite so far. A little disrespectful in the beginning, but so true and rarely does it have this ending and its a real shame.

Thank you for reading

[Jacob Clifford]

At the start, I expected this to be a fun, funny poem-story. But it grew in a way that was nothing short of beautiful, much like how a boy grows into a man. This was thoroughly enjoyable to read. Marvelous work.

[James]

Wow, thanks. It started out as a funny poem, but this is what came out. I'm glad you like it and thanks for the review.

[Woody]

boy I envy people who can write a long story in verse. this is a fun little one, James.
I guess love can make you change your plans real fast. but in this case, it's "the egg in the nest" that did it for him.
good one.

[James]

Thanks Woody, This was a fun one to write. I'm glad the 'egg in the nest' line worked. The hard part is finding a way to stop. Too long and no one will read it. I set out to write a funny poem and just couldn't do it. I'm seriously glad you liked it.

[Woody]

you know I don't like writing the same thing in two different reviews. I've just realised I'd said I envied blah blah blah; in a previous review. I'm getting old James.
yes, unlike my story, this started on a light note then turned serious.

[Lydia Shutter]

What a wonderful write this is. What we think we are going to do with our lives does not necessarily work out, does it? A carefree bachelor, then a wife and a baby. A cottage, then a farm. Then 10 children and soon 11. There is sweet romance between the lines. The rhyming and rhythm was spot on. I enjoyed it a lot. Lydi**

[James]

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it. t was a lot of fun to write, but not at all what I set out to do.

[Nisreen]

A very sweet write
and the children in it
create such a blessing
the way you view it all
is very warm
the family man :)

[James]

What funny is this isn't the poem I sat down to write. It's just what came out.

Glad you liked it.

[Workvio]

A poem that actually makes a man feel good about being a man in an age where men have shucked all manner of integrity and responsibility in favor of living their lives carefree at the expense and reputation of women ... a very enjoyable and touching piece ...

[James]

Thank you, Marvin, It was a blast to write. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[Norman 223]

This gave me a chuckle with it's bouncy style - but you really should stop bouncing, you'll run out of room soon. :-))

Norman

[James]

Ha, Thanks, Norman. Good to see you here. I'm glad you liked it, it was a lot of fun to write.