You'll need an apron she said
And wash yer haunds. Up tae yer elbows.
A peenie tae hud ma ain bairn? I ask
Afore I cuid tie it I start greetin'
Drip drip drip
The tears fa ontae ma shiny white apron
But through watery een I cuid see her
In her wee glass tank,
Keeping her warm, keeping her safe
Keeping her awa fae me.
Beep beep beep
Can I gie her a bosie? I ask
Permission tae hud ma ain bairn.
Aye but watch the wires she said.
Only a haundfae but it looked like hunners
Her limbs in a tangle of reed, green, blue.
Click click click
I unlock the side o the glass and slide in ma haun
Ahin wee tubes and a wee mask wis a wee face
Een like her granda, lugs like her dad
And greetin like her mam
Sh sh sh
She coories in and her greetin seen stops
Ony sign o hame time yet? I ask
We're hoping the morn she said
I look aroon at dad's pacing, nurses promising, mams praying
Tik tik tik
Afore I kaint it an oor turns intae a day, a day intae ten.
My doup sare fae the hard plastic seat,
My heart full that I get tae hud my ain bairn
Tap tap tap
Her big sister tapping on the glass,
een wide as if she's choosing a piece at the bakers
Is oor wee baby better yet? She asks
Aye, it's finally hame time I said.