Don’t be scared of the forceps, child
Although the knives have been sharpened well.
The needle will only prick for a second,
And you will only bleed for a while.
The steel may pinch your unformed toes
And bring a soft cringe on your slimy forehead.
It’s only a few hours’ doing, child-
Don’t let all the blood scare you.
Your mother will probably heave a sigh
Because this was the way you had to die;
Only from the clanging of metal claws,
Cocooned in mists of injected anaesthetics-
Faraway from the wars we adults fight.
Don’t cry dear child, you’ll be alright.
