After the blood appeared, small spots of uncertainty

After the first slice through the fleshy abdomen

After pacing, smoking, waiting

After the wound widened, the womb exposed

After a year of hope, of almost normal

After a visit to Florida, to her husband’s brother

and his wife, palm-treed roads, sun a helmet,

laughter slapped among waves

After the doctor again, the body mapped,

the body exposed, poisoned with hope

After the pills, the vomiting, tiger-clawed, ripped

The uncle gets it, a small bag, rolled with

clumsy fingers, the smoke inhaled

After she coughs, her eyes tear, she bends

double, cannot bear weed, air, anything