In the early hours of evening, the pain grew becoming an entity in its own right. What was a mild moment of discomfort, became a maelstrom of pain, wave after wave pulling her into some place far from the reality of daily life. There seemed nothing except that centre of pain. Then, there was a moments calm and she returned for a moment to recognize her surroundings
He held her hand.
“Good, you’re doing good!” he assured her calmly. And she focused upon him, his calm, his words. Eyes meeting eyes. The pain returned.
“Look at me! Watch me and follow me!” he said and started to breath – in then out slow deliberate breaths and she copied him.
In her mind she drifted along with the music that played in the room and she breathed with him. The pain, though still central in her life now, was tolerable.
“Breath in breath out … now quickly!” and he began to pant and she panted too.
Pain, breath, a thought for the infinite that is life an ocean crashing and then … with a whoosh like a wave crashing one last time upon the rocks there came: peace and silence, except for her baby’s first cry.
breath
guiding energy
birth
© G.s.k. ‘15
Linked to Carpe Diem Haiku Kai – Pranayama
So lovely, cara….you wrote such a beautiful and uplifting haibun!! Mine was at the other end of the spectrum…but they always meet, don’t they, les cycles de la vie.
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Si c’est ça … believe it or not, sometimes when speaking of someone’s passing I say “he/she was born” and have to correct myself. I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
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My daughter announced she was pregnant 2 days before my father died
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Wow …
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I knew she had to be carrying a boy
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I can imagine … one does get those sensations!
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this is beautiful! what a telling of childbirth.
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Thanks Elle … it was a wonderful experience.
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Oh, if only my experience had involved some music … yikes. They really need to change the whole hospital birthing experience. For everyone’s sake! But anyway.
This is amazing, amazing — and your ending haiku could be a gem unto itself. what more can I say?
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Franz was born at home … so we did what we wanted to do … the music below, though not the exact piece, is one of the bits of music we ‘listened to’ Franz was born with Eric Satie’s music in the air!
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That’s awesome! 😀
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Yes, it was, really. So very different from what had been my experience in hospital …
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A lovely write– beautifully said.
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Thanks Chris ..
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Lovely write, and I always think Satie’s music is very calming…..
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Thanks .. I love Satie’s music and one never knows what one will be listening to as each artist interprets his works as they please!
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Oh, right!
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lovely – both haiku and story.
great take.
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Thanks GF … glad you enjoyed it!
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Wonderful, simply wonderful!
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Thanks so much MMT!
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Thanks for sharing a part of your breath control experience.
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You’re very welcome … came in handy later in life too.
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Gorgeous story Georgia and than that beautiful “free-style” haiku …
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Very welcome and I’m happy you enjoyed the free-style haiku … it seemed the best ending … and reminded me more of Basho’s poetry than a longer piece.
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