A Poem for the Removal of Uterine Fibroids
The sages say in the womb
a light shines
and the fetus can see
from one end of the universe
to the other,
and there are no days
of greater happiness than this.[1]
a light shines
and the fetus can see
from one end of the universe
to the other,
and there are no days
of greater happiness than this.[1]
It was Job who recalled that time
with nostalgia and delight,
when G-d’s secret counsel
hovered over his body.[2]
Before the angel’s strike,
before the air pushes into lungs,
before the first cry —
there in the womb
We have our first taste of wisdom.
with nostalgia and delight,
when G-d’s secret counsel
hovered over his body.[2]
Before the angel’s strike,
before the air pushes into lungs,
before the first cry —
there in the womb
We have our first taste of wisdom.
And this entire universe
is compared to a womb,
an empty space of creation
in which a single beam of light
shines in,
the crowning of creation
the universe’s first breath.
is compared to a womb,
an empty space of creation
in which a single beam of light
shines in,
the crowning of creation
the universe’s first breath.
And in my womb there is a space
but there is no light,
because
no one is there.
but there is no light,
because
no one is there.
When my sons were young
and would say about pregnancy
I carried them in my stomach,
I corrected them:
in my uterus.
I felt they should have the word
even though not born with one.
and would say about pregnancy
I carried them in my stomach,
I corrected them:
in my uterus.
I felt they should have the word
even though not born with one.
But the Hebrew word for
womb and uterus is the same:
רחם, the root of compassion.
HashemLit. The Name, referring to the ineffable name of God; used as a substitute for any of the more sacred names of God when not speaking in prayer. Particularly used in conversation. added compassion,
the selfless generosity
of womb-love,
to a world with only justice,
because without it,
the world could not survive.[3]
womb and uterus is the same:
רחם, the root of compassion.
HashemLit. The Name, referring to the ineffable name of God; used as a substitute for any of the more sacred names of God when not speaking in prayer. Particularly used in conversation. added compassion,
the selfless generosity
of womb-love,
to a world with only justice,
because without it,
the world could not survive.[3]
A uterus will expand
for whatever needs it,
life or otherwise.
And so mine has widened
for overgrowths
like weeds in a garden —
thank goodness benign,
but unwanted — just
cells and tissue,
doing only harm and no good.
for whatever needs it,
life or otherwise.
And so mine has widened
for overgrowths
like weeds in a garden —
thank goodness benign,
but unwanted — just
cells and tissue,
doing only harm and no good.
My uterus will hold
anything that arises.
She weeps to kill a fly.
More than her compassion
is needed
to recognize her residents
now need to go.
anything that arises.
She weeps to kill a fly.
More than her compassion
is needed
to recognize her residents
now need to go.
There is cognitive dissonance
scheduling a procedure
associated with life and choice
when this is neither.
But I tell my uterus
(I hope and pray)
we’ll feel better
with these things gone.
scheduling a procedure
associated with life and choice
when this is neither.
But I tell my uterus
(I hope and pray)
we’ll feel better
with these things gone.
And I thank her
for being the space
inside me
that always holds
whatever grows,
even the smallest parts
that do not belong.
for being the space
inside me
that always holds
whatever grows,
even the smallest parts
that do not belong.
Notes:
- Niddah 30b
- Job 29:2-4
- Rashi to Genesis 1:1
