A poem: Breath Taken

IVF is a pendulum.

Of life and limb,

And hoping a breath will sway

My world.

That extra soul, I cling.

.

Shed the weight,

Clear half the plate,

scale fluctuates.

.

Breathe.

.

My doctor says

“Not enough”.

.

Let’s escalate.

The mind’s raced.

Leave the plates.

Starve all dates.

.

Breathe.

.

The doctor says

“Well done”.

.

Round one, round two.

Oddly expected.

Emotions neglected.

So am I defective?

.

Round four, round five.

The deepest dive,

I’m drowning in mind.

Am I alive?

.

Round seven, round eight.

A choking hate.

Liberate or sedate.

What of my fate?

.

IVF is a pendulum.

Of life and limb,

And no breath has swayed

My world.

Breaths were taken, never given.

I cling no more.