The Birth of a Feminist

The birth of a feminist

Is like any other birth

She tucks in her chin

Awaiting the sage-femme’s signal:

Poussez madame poussez, poussez madame

The birth of a feminist 

Is like any other birth

Her wet head is down

Takes a sticky air gulp

Red mouth a new hole

The birth of a feminist

Is like any other birth

Naked foreign body in arms

Blood cords forming a map

Slick animals skin to skin

The birth of a feminist

Is like any other birth

She is veiny and diaphanous

Snaking to the dripping tit

She knows how to live

But oh–the terrific world!

Cries out, for there’s pain

Its distant abiding birdsong, listen

The birth of a feminist

Is like any other birth