Rapunzel Retold

Nothing would take hold

inside my flesh. Babies turned

upside down and drowned.

I went to the witch

Looking for a magic word

to grow a daughter

The word on my tongue:

Rapunzel. Bitter weed

so close I could taste.

My belly grew, pear

ripening, a marvel, still

the pain of wanting.

I could not deny

what the body needed

to keep her living.

I wailed for her.

My husband brought in armfuls.

Rapunzel.

Drizzled with bee juice.

Cooked in oil, or taken raw

dirt clinging to the roots

Moons came and went

Sky rolling in waves. Such pain

but the good kind. Blessed.

One perfect day.

We joked my milk would run green.

She was so thirsty.

What a marvel, hey?

Did you ever see a baby
born with so much hair?