Quickening

by Yvette Benavides

This baby moves inside me now Sending messages at night- Morse code About life on the inside: It is dark But warm and quiet With only muffled echoes softly pleading, Wake up, little one. I want to know you're in there, Happy and safe. Answers come again- A sudden flutter- Secret lyrics of song with no rhythm. Played with hands and feet. Someday I will hear the song again- A high-pitched, quick and breathy humming. I will teach her that she's been singing that old song forever, And reach out for little splayed hands That have long since held my heart.