Before the magnificent illusion got going
Before my mother’s going into labour
Before the breaking of waters
Before the forceps mark on my brain
Before God was thought of
My birth-voice gave majesty to the unknown
A voice from the crown of possibility
The great waiting of waiting to be born
My earth-voice a spate of promise
My birth-voice an umbilical
Something to do with the speed
Of light catching up with itself
Before my birth what a commotion

Ronald Rae