"The Naming Ritual"
They arrived at the hospital
all huff and puff--
Lamaze an evaporated memory
Swept into labor and delivery
a room papered with flowers
to create calm: a failed plan
They had forgotten everything:
warm socks, a tennis ball
overnight clothes
the baby's layette
even a name
After hours of labor
a cloud of baby's cries
in the air, tiny lungs working
then cooing
a peace
Someone turns on the tv
"Mission: Impossible" is on
He says, I like that name
She nods, exhausted, on the edge of sleep
Yes they name the baby
after the actress
Lesley Ann Warren
*
[The writing prompt was to write a poem that explores how one was named & the meaning of the name. I only went with the first part because, as usual, I'm out of time. But there you go. True story. Well, the last two stanzas, anyway. :) And of course, for me, those "true stanzas" feel like the weakest ones of the poem-draft.]
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