emme

in her small newborn skull
and along her graceful spine
a bacteria grows
an inflammation between
skull and brain
that make her eyes see thru you
no longer focusing
that make her tiny limbs
convulse in baby tremors
that leave her fevered
and unresponsive to
the lumbar puncture
bacterial meningitis
the doctor says
and you are left
with your god of choice
or none at all.