Universe Poem by Dónall Dempsey

I spill pools of oil
that cluster like stars

on your swelling
pregnant belly

and swirl it into crescents
and glistening constellations

that form around
the hub
of the universe
that is your belly button.

I massage your universe

gently tenderly

as if I were God
creating it in the first place.

“You smile: “Mmmmm...oh...that’s so...nice! ”

After an hour
you drift to sleep

after another hour
I too fall asleep

your hip bone
jutting into my left eye

as my palm slows slowly down

and underneath my outstretched hand
(a universe away)

our baby moves her hand to meet my hand

asleep on top of your universe.