Richard Stanton: ‘Waiting for Baby’

Waiting for Baby

I’ve done this waiting before, on a mountain
Ten thousand feet, despairing
For that vital break in the weather
Rolling cigarettes, making another brew
Reading Emily Dickinson, rucksack packed
Re-tying prusik loops, adjusting crampon straps
In a smoky festering hut
Until ten days later the hogsbacks break a moment after midnight
Out and up, headlamps umbilical rope, first slot opens
Between rock and ice, belays over snowbridge
Last two hundred only pain no strength remains in arms legs
Cramps
Summit
Before dawn

Sack packed again, waiting
Reading Emily Dickinson after all these years
No cigarettes, making a brew only a few days to go
Hold on for a break in the weather
Another brew in a clean warm house
Until ten days later the waters break, monitor’s out, heartbeat’s up
Last two hundred only pain some strength remains in arms legs
Contractions
Birth
Before dawn

Richard Stanton