It's my first Baby Shower Now one question... Is a guys last Batchelor's as
full of womanly secrets.
life affirming or one last blow out before
the big "C+M" COMMITTMENT-MARRIAGE?
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by Joe B. I was half listening in 2002 last year when I hear "I want to bring new life into the world." It slips my mind at the time as one loses track of things especially verbally. One year I’m oblivious to a new life forming in my bosses womb. By the time its noticed by me most of the female interns have the scoop while I’m still unaware. There’s not much to say except there is scrambling for eating, drinking, and rest as my so active A.D.D. [Attention Deficit Disorder]employer and the father is and artist with A.D.D. too. I’m thinking this isn’t good for loyal employee number 1. I’m to remind my boss and mother to be to eat meat, dairy products, ice cream, cheese omelets and other kinds of fattening foods so the alien (that’s what she calls the growing embryo growing inside her). But its hard for someone used to practicing kick boxing, writing and performing play, creating poetry, plus running a non profit business helping to empower low to no income working poor people and families to drop everything, rest, and eat fattening foods for a new life within her. It has to be a slow gradual process and being a man the best I could do is remind her "Its not about you, its about that new life in you but you do have to take care of yourself as best you can for both you and her/him. Later I found out it will be a boy and boys need protein so do girls but it seems boys might need more. Eventually she began to show looking like someone trying to shoplift a bowling ball from Target, K-Mart, or discount dollar stores. On the one hand its on another I secretly worried knowing of another friend much younger nearly died from hospital staff infection. When I saw her holding her child, the father standing by her it is a relief though seeing her tired and drained of blood from her face and arms well… What joy for her is tempered with what almost happened. Keeping my emotions under control that night I was able to walk a bit before taking a bus home letting the full rush of those emotions held in check. Would Tiny have to go through this or will her child be an easier birth? Both of these at different stages in their lives chose to give birth and for one it was almost a death sentence I pray it to easier in Tiny’s case. There is yet another friend I’m worried about too but I sure she’ll make a great mother and take extreme care of herself besides whether with extra pounds or less she’s always a delectable. The man who has her heart and soul is a blessed if he can also match her intellect, political awareness and sensitivity. The Party was on Sunday, August, 10th. Ms. Ashley and Mrs. Non, Nun, None (I must ask her how to spell it) are with me in Ms. Ashley’s car headed to a warehouse in Oakland across the bay. Its pack with friends of the family, people traveled from across country, across the bay and some I don’t from how far they traveled to be here? Presents, food, a well trained dog, lovely women, guys with beer, and the guest or couple of honor. There is a toast for an easy birth and that the child be a rabble rousing genius. It was a great party I’m glad I went. I’m deep in though while talking to Mrs. Non and the Ashley about the nearness of Mars and Venus trading places in months to come and how men, women, and people are getting into fights. We see a full moon looming to left of us as drove back into San Francisco. I rarely talk about politics, politicians, or political issues but Ashley and I conversed about how our old world is changing so fast and the few dinosaurs cannot let go, as Mars looms ever closer to earth. We hug when she stopped her car across the street from my home, wishing each other safe journeys before parting. I’m in my bed thinking These questions will remain until I become a full realized human and that means if not fatherhood then marriage sharing a life with another building or lives together. Maybe fatherhood or marriage isn’t in the cards for me, I don’t know but if women can and do brave all kinds of mental anguish, abuse, hurts, emotional turmoil, the least I can do is be by her side; the one who chose me to be to be her mate hopefully for life and beyond. Any Thoughts on the matter men, women, children, or young adults? Donations C/0 Poor Magazine Email: askjoe@poormagazine.org |