EAST SIDE MANHATTAN by Amy Barlow

EAST SIDE MANHATTAN

by Amy Barlow

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The East 92nd Street Birthing Center
We lived in Queens, so I look the subway to LaMaze classes
(always alone - he was working on more important stuff)

I was eight months along, the baby swaying with every curve of the cars
I still swear I could feel her giggle as we jolted to a stop at Jackson Heights

A sweaty, straphanging expectant mother
stares at a row of young, impeccably dressed men
comfortably comfortable, oblivious to everything but their newspapers
One glanced up at me, then down again
absolutely unashamed

"Tell ya what," I New Yawked at Wall Street
"Make you a sweet deal
One of you gives me a damn seat
and I won't break water all over your Guccis."

Two stand, sheepish, helping me off my feet I thank them with a forgiving grin
And to the other four granite Gordon Gekkos
I offer these words:

"Your mothers must be sooooooo proud."

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