Inside Out

I sit in the corner of the exam room watching the
nurse palpate my sister’s breast.
My own hand rests upon my belly feeling the steady
thump of the child inside.

We each have something growing inside us.
We are each waiting to find out its name.
Only I get to choose.

Cells divide at a remarkably rapid rate.
People ask us the same questions:
When did you find out?
How big is it?
How far along?

We both await the separation of the growth from our
bodies
me with anticipation of the years beyond
her with the hope there will be some.

— Published in Jewish Women’s Literary Annual, vol.8, 2011