I. Within the Womb 

A time long ago and unremembered,
We all were once entombed and suspended,
Dependent and surrendered. 

When life began iridescent and splendid,
Unmarred though formed and fed in murk
(And in nine months so violently up-ended). 

From universe bright to womb so dark,
Each soul with deliberation plucked
To spark and form a body stark: 

The eternally ephemeral irresistibly stuck
To expanding life, dividing cells,
Whether woman and man loved, raped or fucked. 

Wrapped within our diving bells,
Muffled the world that rubbed outside
By throbbing, squeeze and swell. 

Unformed body and spirit inside
Together built an unwrapped fate,
While the future tagged alongside.

For three trimesters each of us in wait,
Budding limbs in lotus stance,
Time and tranquillity enough to meditate! 

Yet uncomprehendingly we glanced,
The outside world a lava lamp,
Mottled red shadows swayed and danced: 

Sunlight drowned and sound waves damp,
By throb and vibration penetrated,
Quarters close and cramped, 

Undeciphered, unappreciated
Our destiny beyond the womb,
But unconsciously anticipated. 

Revelations rippled the watery room,
Of memory and experience not our own,
An ever present thunderous boom, 

A rhythm reminding us we were not alone.
The heart around which our lesser hearts rotated,
Quickened in pace, heightened in tone. 

We resonated, we responded, we radiated,
And by reaching and flailing we noticed not
That the heavens imploded, the ground dilated,

Before our faces there formed a dot
That drained away all warmth and wet,
The closer we fell, the colder we got, 

Uncertain of how cold it would get,
Unable, yes, but unwilling were we to resist,
Willing our world to release us yet. 

Spilling and pouring towards this, this
White, wide and baffling world.
Whether welcomed or not by a mothers kiss, 

This is where we all were hurled.