False Alarm

Contractions keep on going past due date
Baby should be here any moment
But my abdomen just hardens
It tightens
Baby moves. Kicks. Punches.
Sometimes, it tickles
Other times, it leaves me breathless
as teeth bite lips and hands hold tight to belly

Active Labour
should leave me wordless
trembling with an uncontrollable fear
while holding a megaphone to scream
for not being able to be in control
of my body

(P a i n.... I m m o b i l i z e s)

It should leave me humorless
Gasping for comfort in the hand of my husband
while uncovering a hidden strength
I never thought I had when failing to open a jar

Yet contractions keep on going
( I r r e g u l a r l y ! )
And I can still find humor in the pain

I’m not in Active Labor yet