Tug

you're in a tug of war with this man death
strong and young you pull harder
but your body tires
and you drag closer and closer to the line and over
where    now you can see him pulling too
pulling too    drooling
with his eyes ready to open for the first time
pulling too    ready for birth

    and you pull him    
    back
    on that umbilical cord
    wanting this birth for yourself
    yours   
    to complete

from Purgatorial (2004)