I remember with absolute clarity

the moment you were born,

pacing outside like a father

from an old Pathe newsreel

or Ealing Comedy,

my life in black and white

as I chewed on nails,

too old fashioned to be

in the delivery suite,

was not the man’s place really.

I saw you very quickly, a blur,

a near painful remainder

that life can be cruel, fleeting, obstinate,

downright mean and spiteful,

as you were rushed past me

not breathing, blue,

you were leaving me destroyed.