Here, For A Mammogram
By: Sabrina Manno
In November 2021, I found myself back in the radiology department of the hospital where I gave birth to my premature daughter. As I sat there waiting to be called in for my exam, my whole body attuned to the beep-beep of the monitors and the clicking of the X-ray machines, I started thinking back to that harrowing time in January 2014, when my waters broke and I went into the hospital eight weeks before her due date. It reminded me that while our wounds—mental and physical—do heal with the passage of time, our bodies will always carry the scars. And sometimes those scars will bleed again, if only for a moment, before we realize only we can staunch the flow.
Artist Statement
Sabrina Manno is the creator and author of “A Momma & Her Pen,” a personal blog primarily about parenting and her life as a stay-at-home. Before becoming a momma, Sabrina spent 13 years working as an editor in New York City, but she gave it all up to stay home with her two beautiful children! Aside from writing—her true passion—Sabrina loves reading, cooking/baking, Josh Groban, Disney, solitary trees, coffee, all things related to autumn and the holiday season, and traveling with her family. You can read more of her essays and poetry at https://a-momma-and-her-pen.com/.
Brie–what an honor to have witnessed and supported you in writing this poem. I am thinking of the courage it takes to revisit our traumatic experiences. I think, by shining a light on this terrifying time in your life, how this will help others to understand and connect with their own trauma. I believe by making this hard won piece of writing, you will help others feel less alone. Thank you for your generosity, your raw emotion, and this beautiful poem.
Dear Brie,
Your descriptions-of your husband, your little daughter, the hospital experience, are lovely and bring picture after picture to mind. We are there. We get to see your outreach to another woman .. I’m so glad you shared this with us. Angie
To share, the pains and joys of motherhood, is the gift of hope to take throughout our lives. So thank you for that! The knowing, believing, inspiring, appreciating are the treasures you bring to your writing, Brie. The words and rhythm are truly the song of the universe.