SOME BABIES

Some babies come from the womb
already heart-stopped,
already gone from this world they never knew.
These babies, if they could hear, 
would hear weeping.
They would hear soft whispers - 
"You are beautiful."  "I love you."
"Your name is Violet, your name 
is Patrice."  "Your name is Victor,
Anthony, Jack."

If they could feel, they would feel
the tiny gown, beautifully sewn,
the warm blanket tucked around
and under.  Then they would hear
the far-off rain above them.

Some babies come from the womb
because someone didn't want them there.
If they could hear
it would be voices - indifferent,
clinical, brusque.
If they could feel it would be 
something cold - metal or plastic,
appropriate for freezer storage.
Or perhaps it would be
--something flammable.

Only God knows their names.