After bearing down with all the strength of Venus,
Clenching her jaw as she wrangled with loud cries,
Thoughts and memories of battle vanish,
Drifting away with each stroke of the new bundle.

Choking back tears as he kisses below her crown,
Her forehead speckled with manifestations of struggle,
Licking his lips he tastes maternal salt,
Reaching to clutch the delicate fruit of her labour.