“ENIGMA” by Sue Neufarth Howard

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A residence in Eastern China, public
restroom.  A newborn’s cries
are heard. Landlord calls for help.

Firefighters remove an L-shaped part
of sewage pipe. With pliers and saw, pry it
open to find a baby boy, placenta
attached – a two-hour rescue.

Rushed to hospital, Baby 59
his incubator number.  A boy,
six pounds plus, unharmed;
some scratches, low heart rate.

Baby toys and blood stains found nearby.
Police suspect the female renter, age 22,
single; insist on a medical check.

An onlooker during rescue, only now                                                                                                                 confesses she is the mother.

High school grad, restaurant worker,
a one-night stand, secretly pregnant,
her partner fled. Abortion’s now common
in China – she couldn’t afford.

The baby, delivered in the toilet.
“He slipped into the sewer line.
I couldn’t pull him out; no idea
 how to raise him anyway.”

Intent?  Hope to save, not parent?

-Sue Neufarth Howard

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