by Layla Anwar, An Arab Woman Blues

anwar

March 20, 2009

Exactly six years ago, in a dark delivery room, obstetricians and midwives gathered around a tattered mattress covered with torn sheets while rats and roaches scurried past, on the edges of its forgotten walls…

Exactly six years ago, her screams of agony were heard, the midwives rushed with no anesthesia, no gloves and no syringes, rushed to watch in anticipation the birth of this new infant…

It was designed, genetically modified, cloned and conceived overseas — implanted in vitro through a brutal gang rape, implanted in her womb on a dark night, 6 years ago.

Its conception took over 13 years ago, and its delivery was not without violent labor contractions and pangs…not without gut wrenching pains…

No electricity that night, just the brisk light of projected missiles falling like shooting stars. The obstetricians and midwives rubbed their hands with glee and told her — watch the fireworks greeting your newborn. A firework of phosphorus green and red bombs…

The delivery was slower than predicted…they brought in 1000’s of forceps to pull it out, by force. Deliver it, deliver it — they shouted…

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