The Cradle is Empty–Again

small fabric teddy bears, connected in a mobile, are suspended over an imagined baby's bassinet

The cradle is empty—again
So much love, embracing the power to create
Yet the cradle is empty—again
So much hope: the wish, the dream, the hormones coursing through my body and teeming with life’s potential.
Yet the cradle is empty—again
So much excitement:
Carefully counting cycles, attention to my body, peeing on the stick
Yet the cradle is empty—again
So much preparation:
The blanket is started. The stitches made with care now are put away because
The cradle is empty—again
Again
The cradle is empty—again
How can I face this emptiness, the barrenness of hope?
So much invested—emotional, financial, physical resources are taxed
And the cradle is empty—again
The questions crowd: Can I do it again? Do I even dare? Do I have the strength?
Because the cradle might be empty—again.