The Baby Shower
Six months without
cigarettes, six months without drinking,
six months without coke (or so you say).
Your new husband looks as if he is holding up the bar.
The smoke from his cigarette
swirls around his head
and an upturned glass of vodka
and orange juice is attached to his hand.
The room is covered in blue,
papier-mâché strollers and pacifiers
hang from the ceiling.
Oh my goodness, look how darling you are.
You look like you're ready to pop!
They stroke your stomach as if you're Buddha
ready to give them good luck with one rub.
I would have respected you more
if you had an abortion.
— Kari Delmaster
Kari Delmaster lives in New Brighton, Pa., and works at Coventry Healthcare. Her publications include The Critical Point, Volume 21 and Dionne's Story, Volume 1. Many writers featured in Chapter & Verse are guests of Prosody, produced by Jan Beatty and Ellen Wadey. Prosody airs every Saturday morning on 90.5 FM.
