Katie Cut the Cord
Katie cut the cord
and is closer than ever
to those she
dreams of -
nursing mothers
engorged with
the happy ache of
milk in waiting.
She’s right, though,
there nothing like
being a mom
(or dad)
gingerly clutching
a newborn
on your chest.
(But you’re supposed to cut the cord sooner
so you don’t have
to actually
cut the cord later,
you’re just a social worker,
not a spouse.)
At least that’s what they told
her in social work school.
but they didn’t know
who they were talking to,
all the moms, and moms to be,
in the world,
who would say,
with their eyes
cuz they were afraid to use words,
“would you stay with me awhile?
They’re going to do a c-section,
and no one came to labor with me…”
And so the nurse holds
out to you
the scissors that snip the soul into existence
and says,
“will you do the honor?”
can you,
cut the cord?
This is one of eight poems in a series “Eight Poems for Helpers, Social Workers and Other Bleeding Hearts.” Click here for background.
Brother Maria Anthony Serval
of the Franciscan oblates of peace and justice
works among poor and marginalized communities in Denver
Brother Serval,
The image of “cutting the cord” is a very powerful way of showing how humans are connected to one another. Thanks for sharing your story and demonstrating this connection. Case Workers, Social Workers, Mental Health Workers, other heath professionals frequently get called upon to “connect” and then have to “cut the cord” and sometimes they get tired and give up on connecting because it is too painful. It is sad when that happens and we need to help make sure they have communities of support to get through these tough times.
Yes, it is true what you say. I believe part of the nurture that needs to happen for such professionals comes from spritual communities, yet I’m not sure they are always accessible to each other or encouraged to make those connections.