My brother was circumcised twice.
At first, the days after birth
the midwife held his penis between
thumb and finger.
Tongue protruding, brow knitted she
delivered him his second knife-edged cut.
Our mother, tired after an arduous labor
watched while her firstborn throbbed in anguish.
(He had yet to know shame.)
And for solace she fed him her
generous breast.
Food for her baby,
salve for the pain.
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