Circa ~vernal equinox 1996 ± small number of days

wrought the zygote
that resulted from the union
of a female gamete (egg, or ovum)
with a male gamete (sperm)
heralding neonatal life
eventually christened
(nine months later – induced labor
and three days before Christmas)
Eden Liat Harris,
whose birth we helped create,
which sought after ambition,
we wantonly helped to facilitate
but unfortunately
a series of unfortunate events
aborted intent to utilize
Bryn Mawr Birth Center,
cuz "mother" then diagnosed with
Group B Streptococcus also known as
Group B Strep Infection (GBS),
hence we needed to forego natural birth,
nevertheless, the midwife
did her utmost to integrate
intent characteristic, holistic,
and opportunistic mindset.

Hence envision scenario
(somewhat tragi/comic in retrospect)
your mother "primigravida"
heavily pregnant with child for the first time
she, (heading in one direction)
somewhat swiftly tailored
and harried styled
said expectant "mother"
without doubt fired
rage against the machine somewhat riled
being tethered with intravenous tubes
forced to schlep (attired as if exiled)
heading from Bryn Mawr Birth Center
to Bryn Mawr Hospital
where an Obstetricians
whose golf game disrupted
help usher thee (chica)
made her debut.

After becoming freshly minted parents,
we got a crash course in swaddling,
which yours truly mastered without a hitch.

Once released from obstetrician,
our next adventure
entailed familiarizing ourselves
with the carseat, which endeavor
became a nightmare scenario,
cuz daunting task
became impossible mission
when you screamed
(at the threshold of tolerance –
amazing how a newborn
little more than a half dozen pounds
tested the boundary of audiological pain),
thus while mother
got buckled and strapped
in the front passenger seat,
she needed to hold you on her lap
in an effort to quell distraught
diminutive damsel in distress.

We celebrate the fourth anniversary
of your seventh birthday,
the second anniversary
of your fourteenth birthday,
or the first anniversary
of your twenty eighth birthday
December twenty second 2024
befitting your modus operandi.

Many commendable achievements,
albeit academic milestones
populate your curriculum vitae
prompting this modest father
to applaud due diligence and self discipline
showcasing first in class
where you attended,
and subsequently acquired
top notch marks
while you attended public education
within Lower Merion School District,
and graduating Harriton High School
as a star stundent with honorable role
exemplary grade point average,
and a well earned golden ticket
to matriculate at an ivy league university,
whereat outstanding success
despite heavy course load
(emblematic of engineering curriculum)
found you doggedly acquiring
baccalaureate and master's degrees.

Despite domestic discord
cleaving asunder requisite parental guidance
during your most critical growing up years
ye managed to pull yourself up
by your own bootstraps
doing double duty
as surrogate mother to Shana,
(our darling daughter
beset with innumerable challenges
of body, mind and spirit)
necessitating she be linkedin
with supportive services.

Methinks about emotional fallout
courtesy my lack of adequate
attentiveness to the
requisite needs and wants
incumbent after seething
with hormonal secretion
minus the choice
to forego using birth control
maintaining a cavalier attitude
to be fruitful and multiply
subsequently shirking mandatory responsibility
to support financially,
the growing Harris brood.

Sincere apology changes nothing,
yet forever avoiding taboo subject
detailing financial pitfalls of fatherhood
forces me to censor memorable moments
of your infancy, toddlerhood,
and times gone by when I
counted thee as daddy's little girl.