Layers

Sheets.Air.Water, soap, water.Jeans, shirt, shoes. ID, pager.Air.Shirt, scrubs, compression socks. Long white lab coat.Squeaky shoes, squeaky floor.Glow of the computer screenStress binding.Sweat.Water, soap, water.Glove, lubricant. Vagina, cervix, hair, head, pelvis.Contraction. Pressure.Blood. Amniotic fluid.Sterile gown. Gloves. Plastic drape.Amniotic fluid, urine, blood, meconium, vernix, lanugo.Air.Towels, hands, hat, kisses.Tears splashing. Laughter and happy birthdays blanketing.Baby. Drool. Urine. Colostrum.Love enveloping.Clamps. Sac, cord, placenta, Wharton's jelly.Gauze, stitches, ice.Footprints, ink pad, paper.Fast air. Sweat.Water, soap, water.Gloves.Blood. Blood. Blood. Fluid. Blood.Alcohol, IV, tape.Baby.Blood. Blood. Blood. Placenta. Blood. Clots. Blood. Clots. Blood.Sterile drape. Pressure.Fear encasing, knowledge releasing.Alcohol, second IV, tape.Gloves. Medication. Gloves. Pressure.Blood. Clots. Blood. Blood.Alcohol, needle, medication.Pressure. Pressure. Pressure.Air.Soapy water.Chuck, chuck, chuck, pad.Air.Water, soap, water.Thank you hugs enveloping.Footprints, ink pad, paper.Glow of the EMR computer screen.Paperwork on paperwork on paperwork.Squeaky shoes, squeaky floor.Repeat.Repeat again with more blood.Repeat again with more stress.Repeat again with more sweat.Repeat again with more hands.Repeat again and again with more pressure.Repeat again with more love.Repeat again with more hugs.Repeat again with more paperwork and ink and footprints.Repeat.Repeat until it all builds a new skin. A beautiful and worn and lived community of layered armor. Layers deep with knowledge and passion and care and intention. Layers to share in their load. Layers to carry alone. Layers of life and love and death and love and fear and love. Layers of work and of peace and of knowing.Heavy squeaky shoes. Tired squeaky floor.Air.Jeans, shirt, shoes.Air.Water, soap, water.Air.Sheets.