The mammary glands of the female Harvard
Student are heavy already and swollen
As the subject’s body prepares to make milk
That will serve to nourish both subjects’ baby,
If male and female subjects are “Blessed by God”
As they say they are. Subjects used to smoke
Cigarettes but, reluctantly, do not smoke
Since confirming pregnancy at the Harvard
University Health Center (and thank God
For that). Female subject has complaints: Swollen
Breasts hurt; urinates frequently; wants baby
Photographed in utero. Male asks, "Is breast milk
The way to go?" Female has read up on milk
(And
SIDS), and states that both subjects "Will not smoke
Or drink for at least six months after baby
Is born." Female worries about her Harvard
Graduation, realizing her swollen
Stomach will show through her gown "Like some God
Awful after-school special on the God
Channel." Male subject again asks about milk
Production: “How long will her breasts be swollen?”
Is curious: how long until he can smoke?
Subjects ask if the insurance at Harvard
University will pay for a baby
To be born. It does pay, but subjects’ baby
Won’t be born in time. Subjects laugh, "At least, God
Willing, baby will graduate from Harvard."
Female stares at her shirt; fidgets with breast milk
Pamphlets. Male subject slyly pretends to smoke,
Inhaling until his cheeks are red, swollen
With air, then, exhaling slowly, his swollen
Cheeks empty. Male subject spots posters: Baby
At different phases of gestation, "Don’t Smoke,
Mom," one poster says. Male eerily says, "God
Seems more real" (it’s normal: babies are fragile); milk
Is his next concern. Female’s shirt says “Harvard.”
As if puffed with smoke, the male’s cheeks are swollen
Until, under the Harvard shirt, they hear baby,
A small pulse as big as God and as real as milk.
