Bronze (Johnson)/Maternity
MATERNITY
Proud?Perhaps—and yetI cannot say with suretyThat I am happy thus to beResponsible for this young life's embarking.Is he not thrall to prevalent conditions?Does not the day loom dark apaceTo weave its cordon of disgraceAround his lifted throat?Is not this mezzotint enough and surfeitFor such prescience?Ah, did I dareRecall the pulsing life I gave,And fold him in the kindly grave!
Proud?Perhaps—could I but ever so faintly scanThe broad horizon of a manSwept fair for his dominion—So hesitant and half-afraidI view this babe of sorrow!