Ann Chandonnet
Borning Room

A low chamber one stoops to enter
built over a boulder protruding through one wall--
a horse-size granite chunk,
a New England upwelling of obdurate ledge.

One steps up into this chamber
off the main room with its big fireplace.
No heat of its own but the flicker of pain, the gush of blood.
A damp cave, that grotto in the skull eyes turn to in prayer.

How many wives wore out on this rope bed
and joined their predecessors on the knoll
beyond the orchard?

<< return to the Table of Contents for New Series #10: Winter 2020, Volume 5 Number 2