Belly Button (A Poem)

A poem

When pregnant with my daughter, my bump growing every day,

My trusty belly button chose to turn the other way,

Historically an innie with no cause to scream or shout,

She grew attention hungry and she popped the whole way out. 

I felt almost bereft. ‘Twas not the naval that I knew.

I thought back on our time and all that we two had been through. 

Way back to childhood summer days, out skipping round a fair,

Callipo melting down my front and droplets gathering there!

It was secret place between my shoulders and my knees, That I could show in Tammy Girl crop tops. Or cover, as I'd please.

Then into teenage years how fast your innocence it wrecks,

The belly button soon became a strange symbol of sex!

Playboy bunnies dangling down, almost to the crotch!

I caved and got the top part pierced - the pressure was too much!

I wore it for one summer then I worried it looked cheap

A gauche adornment to what otherwise was small yet deep,

The very centre of myself, through which my mum once gave,

Life to me so I might run, jump, sing, speak and be brave 

My belly button’s been there since the very start of me

It’s caught water from the shower and a lover’s kiss or three,

Round it I have lost weight or put it on, waxed bits of hair!

It’s been painted green for Halloween, I’ve found popcorn in there! 

Then it could not house anything, and I could not help but pine,

For that old belly button that went inward and was mine.

But when I had my daughter, well the trade I'd made was clear, My innie had to go so that my angel could appear! My ray of starlight who’s brought brand new colours in my view!

'Twas worth it to lose part of me, so that I might meet you. 

The fourth trimester came and went, my form began to heal,

One day I grazed my hand across and was surprised to feel,

My outie now had turned back in! I didn’t know she could!

She’d just been on hiatus, she had not left me for good 

A belly button’s more than just a place to rest your thumb,

It’s a symbol of the magic and the power of a mum,

One day my girl will point at mine and ask, ‘what does this do?’ 

And I’ll say, that’s how my mum made me, and this here’s… how I made you. 

Written by Tamar Broadbent

Tamar's cabaret show Plus One is on at:  Bath Comedy Festival, Sat 5th April 7.30pm. TICKETS.

Toronto Fringe July 1-13th Edinburgh Fringe Festival 7-24th August.