Birth
The squirming, squealing new-born
emerges, first feels cold, the tickle
of air on flesh, unwilling to open
squinty eyes to light, searches
sightlessly for something to taste,
to pop into the gaping mouth.
Later, the infant absorbs the warmth
created by surrounding new-found
parents, siblings, simpering grandparents,
beings of all sizes and shapes circle the crib.