Deliverance

We watch anticipating—
Either with fear and trembling,
Or understanding and reverence—
As the deliverers,
Wracked with rhythmic spasms,
Travel through the valley of death;
Carried on by the power of their love
For the new life that can be freed
Only with this travail.

And whether aided
By amnihook¹ or Roman spear,
The rush of blood and water
From the wound thus formed,
Seems a necessary part
Of deliverance.