Baby’s Coming

Summary

A man awaits the birth of his child, reflecting on the anticipation and transformation that comes with parenthood.

Abstract

The poem captures a moment in a hospital waiting room where a soon-to-be father, dressed in pressed jeans and a T-shirt, is engrossed in the anticipation of his child's arrival. He distractedly flips through a magazine, his attention fixated on the comings and goings of people in the hallway. His partner, absorbed in a puzzle, seems at ease, offering reassurance amidst his quiet anxiety. The moment his name is called, the tension dissolves into laughter and hand-holding as they move together from the waiting area to the room where their lives are about to change forever.

Opinions

The man's nervousness is palpable, masked by a stylish yet awkward demeanor.
The atmosphere is a mix of worry and joy, with individuals experiencing a range of emotions as they navigate the hospital.
The man's partner appears calm and supportive, providing a sense of normalcy in the midst of the chaos.
The act of calling the man's name marks a significant transition, turning anticipation into immediate action and shared excitement.
The poem suggests that the imminent arrival of a child can alter one's perception of the world, hinting at the profound impact of parenthood.

Baby’s Coming

Poem

There he sits stylishly awkward in pressed jeans T-shirt and a quiet look of desperation.

Grabs a magazine, Cosmo thumbs through it, not seeing - eyes focused on the hallway, people streaming in, people shuffling out, worried, happy, Some alone others lost in a huddle of friends and family as they leave, Most questions answered, some left to ponder, but it’s a good day.

He listens to the names being called out, holds the page between his fingers, not yet. He looks over to her and smiles, She’s lost in a puzzle pencil tip to her tongue — where’s the problem?

He wonders what it will be like, when it’s here, when it’s done, will the world as he knows it change – she nods without hearing a word - “relax, you’d think it was you doing all the heavy lifting.”

THEY call his name, he’s up, she’s laughing, as the magazine slides from his lap, to the floor.

He grabs her hand and they walk together, down the hallway, into a room where he’ll wait a little longer and she’ll leave him to his thoughts and her dreams.