your first breath

BY ADAM HUGHES

Amniotic exhale,
shock of open air on
quickly drying skin,
placental home left
behind in favor of life
outside uterine walls.

I had spent the last
hour and a half staring
at the purple crown
of your head, wondering
if the rest of you
would be the color
of communion wine.
But I missed

your first post-natal
moments because I was busy
throwing up.

Adam Hughes is a writer and pastor from Lancaster, Ohio. He is a graduate of Ohio Christian University and his poety has appeared in several online and print journals, including: The Houston Literary Review, Flutter Poetry Journal, The Boston Literary Magazine, and Gloom Cupboard. He also sits on the editorial board for Triggerfish Critical Review. He enjoys being outside, reading, and spending time with his wife and infant daughter. He can be reached at tatelestai@yahoo.com.