The Weaning Process

by Caitlin Myler

The wait stretches on forever.

You think the life will be 

Sucked out of you for years.

For years upon years.

And you haven't made up your mind yet if that's a

Problem.

On the one hand,

It's like a shard of glass

Stuck in your breast.

On the other hand, you can sit. 

You can hold him

And he will let you.

One day though, you've had enough!

It's over.

Nothing more.

Nada. Zip. Zilch.

And you buy bananas by the box

And you take out the dresses from storage

And you start to get excited.

Then you feel the pain in your chest

And you realize that it wasn't life being sucked out of you,

But love and peace.

And you cry over the pain of milk being spilled,

One drop at a time,

And the loss of it all.

And then you are empty

And it's all natural

And all the right thing to do.

But you feel you missed...

Something.

You always knew this would happen -

Experience has always taught you.

To lead,

To guide,

Is no easy task and full of daily

Sorrows and mourning -

And oh, how I love the sleep.

But, oh, will I ever hold him

While he sleeps again?

* * * * *

Caitlin Myler has written poems for herself and family for a decade. She has recently begun to submit poetry for publication and prizes. She is the mother of four children and lives in Utah.