|
Her skin was the colour of turmeric
under a makeshift phototherapy device
my precious little newborn was bare
vulnerable, frail, defenceless, alone
irradiated by the glare of tube lights
but first, they pierced the fragile skin
a wispy vein, a flimsy artery punctured
exchange transfusion of her blood done
If I could have but held my trembling angel
through this torture, apologised to her...
she would have perceived my tender touch, soothing,
assuring that she was loved, wanted, cared for
through this ruthlessly essential procedure
The OB who delivered my first child was ignorant.
He laughed off my request for a shot
of the much-needed Rh immune globulin
I was stupid. Why did I not insist? My second
baby would not have paid this harrowing price.
Guess what else I learned all those decades back!
To my utter horror and dismay, it was revealed
she was the ‘first neonate’ they had attempted this on!!
|
