Miss Delish
Miss Delish was a tiny wee premature baby born during the civil unrest in Côte d"Ivoire in 2004. She was only about 1200 gms but she put up a good fight for 2 weeks. There was nothing to save her beyond some oxygen via a too-large mask and her mother's milk and pagne. "Pagne" is a cotton wrap, like a sarong.
I see her swaddled in pagneWee face engulfed in a maskA mere pink gust of precious gold dustCocooned in her soft cotton cask. Does she know what awaits if she lives?Do we know if she wants to depart?Her tiny heart flutters, her fairy breath stuttersHer eyes pierce my soul like a dart. God why can’t I do more to help her?She shoulders her load quite alone.I stand powerless to fight, and witness her plightAs she battles her foes one by one. Last night as I pumped and cajoled herDetermined she should not let goI saw in her face such wisdom and graceAs if she would say “Yes, I know "Can’t you see it’s time to be going?Can’t you feel how weary I am?I did my best, but I ache for some restIn that place where I’ll be free from harm.” Yes dream on my dear little princessRest easy now, you’ve got your wishThere’s a new star tonight, very tiny but brightFarewell and God speed, Miss Delish.