Cardiotocography
The noise overwhelms me
…………………………………………………………vibrations of your ocean drum
each note
………………………………………………………….plays a different frequency, each note
ululates a ripple
…………………………………………………………..only I discern.
This is how you speak to me,
…………………………………………………………….through the beat of your ripening heart
Dum-Da Dum-Da
……………………………………………………………..Mum-Ma Mum-Ma.
Below my bloated pressure stockinged feet
……………………………………………………………..sits a machine spewing out images:
a chain of dark mountains
……………………………………………………………..rough tumbles from the peak
the shadow of an eagle
……………………………………………………………..hung in empty air.
I hold tight to the hem of this blue
……………………………………………………………..checked gown but it’s no use,
my mind rushes
……………………………………………………………..as you contract the muscle of my blood.
You jump on my cord
…………………………………………………………….like a restless hare.
Behind us I hear the call
……………………………………………………………..of another, racing to catch up.
…
Flora Cruft is a poet whose work has been published in a variety of anthologies, magazines and journals. Her poems have been selected for publication by Jo Shapcott and Hollie McNish, with one shortlisted for the Exeter Poetry Prize. She is also an existential psychotherapist and a creativity coach in private practice, and has a popular Instagram page @poet.therapist.baker where she explores the intersections between mental health, poetry, creativity, maternity and nutritional psychology.
atriumpoetry.com 