San Gabriel Valley Poetry Quarterly

SCOTT C. KAESTNER *intelligent design*

a 50/50 proposition
that ended well
if you ask me

for if it were
up to us men
to birth a child

none of us would
be here, never
would’ve made it

nine months too long
for Y chromosomes
to power through

let’s be honest, gents
we do not have
what it takes

not just physically
but also mentally
to provide nurture

to fully sacrifice
ourselves, let alone
our bad habits

so let us praise
our amazing women
the miracle of birth

be there for her
and honor her
with our gratitude

and the occasional
2 a.m. burger run
to satisfy her craving