Mythical Midwife

I arrive at work early

All eager and keen

And I answer the phone

Before I have seen

The true state of this place

For they’re all behind doors

All those women now labouring

Some on all fours

So I tell this poor woman

To stay home and wait

A Caesarian was planned

She was given this date

I can hear in her voice 

A slight tremor of fear

She’s so frightened of childbirth

She made that quite clear

To the lovely Consultant

Who agreed to this plan

But now we’re so busy

Doing all that we can

I try to sound upbeat

“Maybe later today”

Though I know that’s unlikely

She might as well pray

If I say “ring back later”

Suppressing my sigh

I know she’ll hang up and then

have a big cry

So I say come in now

At least if you’re on site

We just might find a bed 

Before day turns to night