Kollangode Ramachandran Sivaramakrishnan

It was dark and the fluid was warm. A stirring. And then a miraculous experience. A feeling. Consciousness. A palpitation. The single chamber in the midst contracts, pushing blood through the still developing conduits. The contractions repeat periodically, beginning the rhythmic pumping which will continue for several decades.

An impulse. A contraction. A limb extends. Stillness. The pull of gravity. A feeling of floating. A reflexive arching of the body. A coldness. Inexplicable feelings. A spasm, resulting in fluid entering the yet incomplete mouth. A sweet taste on the tongue. A coldness within the guts.

A new experience: muted sounds. Patterns of sounds. The eyelids open. A glow. Vague shapes. A sudden movement pushes the head down. A mild unpleasant feeling – pain. More spasms. An object near the mouth. An instinctive opening of the mouth. The first pleasurable suckling of the thumb.

A jarring and violent event. The walls pushing in. It is crowded and uncomfortable. The area is dry. The pushing action repeats with increasing frequency. New experiences. Mild pain and discomfort. And suddenly - blinding light. Jarringly bright objects. Loud sounds. Coldness. Stinging smells. Foreign beings handle me.

“Me” – a new concept. The link is cut. I hang head down. My chest expands. Air enters for the first time. The heart beats furiously. A loud sound emanates from within me. I am placed next to a warm body. I recognise the body, its warmth, smell, taste – all familiar. I suckle. All is well. Deep peaceful sleep.

They look down at the tiny bundle. It brings a smile of joy to everyone’s face. This is Kollangode Ramachandran Sivaramakrishnan. Just arrived.