After The Loss Poem by Phillip Ellis

The nurse had said, 'She's resting; let her rest
for now, come back tomorrow.' Out of sight
had come the sounds of crying. I felt the night
had lodged in me, driving home, and scared to test
my feelings lest I cry and break. It's best
I remain calm and strong, because in the light
she'll need me strong, after saying good-bye,
our tiny child that knew not breath nor breast.

'You'll never understand and never feel
the way that women, losing children' she said,
next day. And standing mute, I felt a heel
before the nurse's silent eyes, a dolt,
I heard her speak, as briskly shaking her head,
apportioning, I being male, at fault.