PROPHECY Why is it, she asked, That prophecy always happens on such a grand scale? Full of kings and death and fire and, Inexplicably, horses. Why the Four of the Apocalypse and the Mari Llwyd? "It shall come to pass" this, and "Behold" that, "And so it was," the other. It's all so . . . so . . . Apocalyptic. What we need is some prophecy that is Practical. Necessary. Helpful. Timeless. Useful. Something like . . . . . Behold! woman, Newly married, Contemplating motherhood. Before you put aside your Pill, Consider this: Your life will change in ways You cannot now imagine. Beginning now, And contiuing forever, You shall always have part of your attention On your child. For it shall come to pass That for twenty years You shall not cook make love plan a vacation shop for food read a book purchase clothing sleep take a shower make dinner reservations decorate your house pay the bills go to the beach watch television talk on the phone buy a car snuggle with your partner take a breath Without having to take into consideration the fact that You have a child. And Behold! If you are not good with money now, Having a child will not increase your skill. If you are not a patient person now, Having a child will not make you calm. If you are not a happy woman today, Having a child will not make you happy. (And the prophet paused, saying, "Shall I repeat that last one again?") And it shall come to pass That if you have a hard time saying "No" to people Who ask you for unreasonable things, Your life with the small, beautiful being That was birthed from your womb Will become crazier and crazier As you keep saying yes, Trying to figure out what went wrong. Heed my words as you make your decision, Woman. If you have the ears to hear, And the heart to understand, Consider this: Most of the people I know, Having raised their children, Say "I love my kids And wouldn't trade them for the world. But if I had it to do over again, I would have made a different choice." And if I've made you stop and reconsider, Then perhaps waiting another year Or two Or three Would be a good idea. (And the Prophet paused . . . It was a pregnant pause,) If you know all this to be true, And you cannot imagine your future Without a child even so, Then you are, perhaps, ready To create life. ............................. Title image painted in Dogwaffle, title text added in Photoshop.