Parenthood

February 1969

A noisy gathering at Ann and Clyde’s 

In the midst of the revelry

Katja (my dear wife) said to the group 

“I have an announcement”

She blushed a bit

then proceeded to explain

that she was going to have a baby

I was stunned

The first I’d heard

“But you are taking the pill,” I said

“Not for several months,” she replied

“But we never talked about this,” I said

She reminded me I’d suggested

a maternity rider to our insurance

Which was true although 

it wasn’t exactly the same

We attended Natural Childbirth classes

and they taught me to help with Katja’s breathing

The fateful day came

We rushed to Christ Hospital

I sat at Katja’s bedside and

said in my most calm voice

“Breathe….breathe….breathe….”

She yelled (uncalmly)

“I am breathing goddammit!”

Minutes later the doctor suggested 

it might be best 

if I were to wait in the waiting room

Katja was in labor for twenty-six hours

Midway she started yelling out

“It’s my turn, it’s my turn”

But they refused to honor her place in the line

The next day we had a newborn son

Justin or Barnaby?  I asked

She had liked Justin

I leaned toward Barnaby 

“Justin” his mother said

We were nervous parents

Our new baby had his own room

We’d lie awake at night

listening for his breathing

When we couldn’t hear anything

we’d leap out of bed and tiptoe in

Sure enough, he would be breathing gently

That was nearly a half century ago

Justin now has two kids of his own

Even though they live far away in New Orleans

late at night we still listen

to hear if our young son is 

breathing in the next room