The Gift

When she popped out
Shot out, like a champagne cork
Pale and bloody,
Uttering a harsh, inarticulate cry
Revealing a cavernous mouth
A soft,pink tongue
Looking as though
She could swallow you whole.

And her father boomed,
'That's my girl'
(Everything was so easy back then)
And the nurses squealed,
'What a beautiful baby!'
And the mother leaned
Back into the pillows,
Exhausted but gratified.

And the baby's face erupted
Into a huge red yawn
And she swallowed them all whole.