This gentle, subtle poem by Zoe Weimar, titled “Quieter Now” transports us to a moment of tranquility on a hospital ward. It received an Honourable Mention in Creative Writing Division of the 2022 MIPS x The Auricle Creative Writing and Visual Art Competition. Zoe describes it as “a poem/sonnet inspired by experiences placed on birth suite, and moments of beauty that occur there.” This piece featured in The Auricle‘s October-December Edition in 2022.
It is much quieter now than before
The room had filled, filled, filled
And then drained. Closer night draws.
Though rustling blankets murmur amongst themselves, the air is still
Swaddled warm and wearing a striped hat
Something tiny and new sleeps
In her arms, as we marvel at
His newness, her strength. The teabag steeps
Of course, there’s beauty in first breath, first touch
Yet those less-remembered moments in-between; with kind words said
And hands held tight and laughter shared, hold such
Intangible softness. She shifts further up in bed
The sound of my steps punctuates the room’s quiet, as I bring her the hot mug of tea
To brew it is my privilege, however small or unskilled an act it might be
The Auricle 