Powerful, inspiring, and proud are the words that come to mind when reading this poem by Erica Jong, who has captured an event that most men take for granted. She has successfully portrayed the experience in the most touching way.

The most telling of all the poem is the fourth stanza. As she describes the birth of her daughter, she removes all traces of habit. There is nothing ordinary about her child. Being born female, she is glorious. She is triumphant over all who see her as less and all because she is woman. Jong uses the term “second sex” from a book by Simone de Beauvoir and contradicts it by calling her daughter “so splendidly first.” This reference is powerful, indeed, and her use of the point/counterpoint strengthens the image. After all, what is greater than being “first”? Nothing. The child is the “first of the first.” Even the “pallid” moon cannot compare to this child.

This is a poem that many men would not find appealing mainly because of its feminist flavor; yet, there is much that one can glean from its celebration of life. Whether a man’s life or a woman’s, life is still life, ever so beautiful and full of esteem. If more men would overlook its more feminist points, this poem could help open their eyes to many pertinent issues concerning both man and woman.