Under The Red Tent

A birth poem

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Under The Red Tent

The seasoned

Midwife’s pinnacle

Moment had come

She took her place on

The birthing bricks

Under the red tent

 

 

After years of waiting

Rachel’s passage into

Motherhood was finally here

 

 

Death’s ominous black shadow

Was present in the tent

Would he turn

To greet her

Or turn his back

to walk away?

 

 

Two of her loving mothers

Zilpah and Bilhah

Kneeled to her left

And to her right

To provide solid support

For Rachel's balance

So that she could securely

Stand on top of the bricks

While bearing her full

Weight on them

 

 

As a loving mother

Leah sat in front of Rachel 

To coach her

And to help guide her

Baby from her belly 

Through her womb

So Leah could catch

The infant when it dropped

From its birth canal

 

 

Rachel's contractions

Were getting closer and closer

All of her mothers

Were cooing and

Praising Rachel in

Between her contractions

 

 

 

The Bondswoman continued

Wiping Rachel's sweaty brow and

Offering bread soaked in sweet wine

To help strengthen Rachel

 

 

 

 

While Leah applied 

Soothing oils of mint

To ease in the

Birthing process

 

 

 

Hours of contractions

Had passed  but no birth yet

Poor Rachel was exhausted

Leah paused to carefully reach inside

Checking the position

Of the baby

 

 

 

Broad shoulders of the baby

Hampered its exit

But Rachel’s contractions kept

Coming more and more frequently

 

 

 

As Rachel’s pain intensified

She shrieked

Sharp cries that

Shook the earth

Forcing grown men

To shudder and tremble

As they restlessly

Waited nearby

 

 

 

“I need the knife!”

Leah requested

After she

Placed a cloth of

Fresh wool into

Rachel’s mouth

For her to bear down on

For her pain

As she bravely

Stood on her

Birthing bricks

Her flesh was cut

On both sides

Of her birth opening

For an easy passageway

For the baby

 

 

 

Screaming

Into the wool and

Exhaling Rachel 

Made her final

Big push

 

 

 

With a great sense of relief

Rachel cried as her baby

Fell like ripe, plump fruit

From her womb

Into the bloody but open

Arms of Leah

Rachel’s own

Birth mother

  

 

In the next few weeks

With plenty of sleep

Fresh herbs

Warm ox broth

And much healing

Rachel 's health

Would soon be restored

 

 

 

 When Baby Joseph

Was born that day

Joy consumed

The blessed tribe

Life was fresh

And renewed

Under the red tent of Jacob

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

I've been reading the book The Red Tent by Anita Diamante. I was surprised while reading their technique of birthing back then. I wanted to share my vision of their moment.

Reviews

[Kenneth The Poet]

Just a inspiring, eye-opening right. I thought I was reading your interpretation of a Biblical passage. Excellent, excellent, excellent.

[sushi]

Amazingly written!!!

[Short.Nerd]

Nice!

[Kelsie Eileen Stark]

Very intense, leaving my on my toes...such vivid, detailed lines...Beautiful job!

[Lovely Lady]

I read this book so many years ago. It is one of my favorites to pass along and gift to my friends. You really brought the essence to life beautifully! Keep driving that car... and holding the pen to paper where it all spills out. Every woman should come to understand the red tent. I salute you!
~lovely

[No use.]

Very interesting take on the biblical stories and the book the red tent. .. Really forces you to delve deeper into womanhood and motherhood, and the patience and strife given to a woman as it is her duty and hers only

[Michael of Gilead]

This is why they make waiting rooms *shudder* ;)

[Abbie]

very good nice vision

[Rossen]

Thank you for sharing this powerful poem good work.

[Robin]

an unique story told with a poetic backdrop of history