Struggling to Smile

inspired by Making Parenthood A Reality Through IVF Grants  

http://www.npr.org/2011/05/11/135358223/making-parenthood-a-reality-through-ivf-grants

I.

In the sunlight, 

A  man and a woman

Swing a child between them,

A slip of a girl,

With bouncing pigtails and rainbow tights.

I sit in the shade watching.

Each month punctuated by blood.

Defective.

Broken.

Barren.

Infertility, a silent sadness,

Struggles to smile at baby showers and birthday parties,

Stutters through prying questions of strangers,

Makes love, knowing nothing will grow.