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

[Tina Kline]

Wow, this is very impressive, outstanding work. I was totally caught up in the story you presented here. Now I'm interested in that book, I've seen it but never was really interested in it.

[Arsenic Nemesis]

This was absolutely wonderful! Really powerful and just owsiofnwsogni is a good one could describe it with. Amazing, keep up the good work!~

[Dilan Gray]

This poem was very vivid. The images came flooding into my brain, great job!

[JanieB]

Marie, this is really beautifully written.
I love the words "fell like ripe plump fruit". Excellent job.

[SR Urie]

sweet Marie,
You've given me a taste of what bearing a child seems to be like, and for all women I salute you for your gift of life to all humanity. And may say, just in passing, THANK GOD I WAS NOT BORN A WOMAN!

Who loves you,darlin'? Great poem! BZ

[.]

Wonderful Marie-
you wrote your vision through this poem so elegantly...
The Red Tent is going is a book i'll have to check out,
and this poem is a new favorite :)

james

[Cynthia]

such a unique piece of write, I gotta admit, I have read nothing alike before! You ahve told a interesting story, and what you read and see through the book is so great! I think it will be a good book.

[tynamite]

I love this poem. It's very informative. I'm not liking the knife part.

[Undying Glory]

ah i see what you mean by "long poem". not that that was any deficit at all on your part here. this was fantastic work, and people like me can only imagine the pain of childbirth. i must agree, this sure was vivid and powerful writing you've got here! awesome!