A Natural Tear

Too many tangles to brush out.
Dripping wet,
body a rose bud,
hair a ready rope.

Teenage mother
tugged until the comb broke,
then took the shears.

“One way or another,” 
the doctor said
after a scare,
“incision is better than a natural tear.”

Cover Art: Amanda Greavette

d’Verse Poet’s Pub | Quadrille #185 Brush the Dust Off-44 words “Brush”

Bette Midler “The Rose”

27 responses to “A Natural Tear”

Jim

Teenage mothers get a scare at time for birth.
Plus that, my teen bride, we married young, had twins
to boot. For sure that would scare a seasoned mom.
..

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Indeed. I wrote this about my sister.
  
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Nicole Smith

Yikes

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Times change quickly. This wasn’t so long ago.
  
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Gillena Cox

Interesting.

Much💛love

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thanks, Gillena.
  
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Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

It is good that these days giving birth is rarely causing death… an original take.

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Yes, I agree. I was inspired by my sister and her struggles, but I think there is still a lot to be learned from it.
  
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Miriam E.

A strong poem! It evokes a bunch of emotions I can’t really place… makes you think. Wonderfully penned.

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thank you, Miriam. I can remember combing her matted hair like it was yesterday. An indelible
  memory, really.
  
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Laura Bloomsbury

ouch! been there done that –

“a rose bud,
hair a ready rope.”
remarkably vivid lines that have such poignancy

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thank you, Laura. I don’t think I can ever brush out these memories.
  
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Jane Dougherty

I feel stupid asking this, but can you give some context to the poem please? I don’t think I’m getting the full picture.

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  It’s about my sister. Her teenage pregnancy and then her birthing experience. The last line, which they know now to be untrue, is what they said to her during her delivery.
  
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  1. Jane Dougherty
    
    I see. Yes, the episiotomy shouldn’t be systematic, but like most medical issues surrounding birth, it’s the doctors who decide, not the mother, and it’s often for their convenience. I don’t know that I’d want a natural tear though either.
    
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Anonymous

I like the ambiguity of tear/tear. (K)

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1. memadtwo
  
  This is Kerfe
  
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2. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thanks. I wondered how that would come off, and it somehow works both ways
  
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msjadeli

❤ I love the first line and its multiple meanings. A beautiful story, and I don't blame anyone for erring on the side of caution especially involving childbirth. You made me care about this mother and child in just a few words.

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thank you, Lisa. I’m so glad my love for this person came through in this short poem. When I heard brush, I immediately remember the day I cut her matted hair. She was in delivery soon afterwards.
  
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  1. msjadeli
    
    You’re very welcome, K. I’m glad you are looking out for them.
    
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Stine Writing and Miniatures

Ugh, I remember my mom brushing through tangles but I also remember giving birth! Lol. Not sure they both have such a good outcome! Hahaha

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Very true. So glad both have evolved at least somewhat. Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my quadrille.
  
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ben Alexander

OMG. I felt every word of this piece viscerally in my gut, K…

You blew me away.

~David

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1. Katie Frances Hartless
  
  I missed this one long ago. Thanks, David. 💜
  
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Helen

Your quadrille cuts deep, I read it more than once to be certain of what I was reading. A huge WOW from me. A major write.

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1. Katie Frances Hartless
  
  Oh, Helen. Sorry I missed your sweet comment so long ago. Happy Mother’s Day to you!
  
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