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[Todd]

Mark,

Now let me give you some comments on this one:

Cradled in her arms and swaddled in a pink cotton blanket,
it pulsed with real, red blood.--I don't know if there's any value in the ambiguity of "it". I could be wrong but her heart might be a better replacement

He said it was cute and asked for a sandwich.--no issues with this line. I think the her heart earlier would bring this contrast out more

Blowing through the door attached to a delicate arm and filled to the brim
with wildflowers dangling, it was only a mirror of her wants.--I do like some of what you're doing here. Showing the how different these two are from the beginning. I'm not fond of "attached to a delicate arm" The rest of it though I like. The "only a mirror of her wants" is very insightful.

He thinks she is silly, but says nothing.

It will be years before the announcer steps in front of the playback
to explain every gory detail. Today hope is strong.--This is a bit of a shift but doable. I think you could shorten this some: Years later the announcer will review the playback... (maybe). You also may want to have the hope line sit alone own set apart by a strophe break. I think hope is strong is a bit too abstract. Replace strong with a vibrant image and I think you move a step forward.

This feels a few revisions away. The core of it is how different the man and the woman are and what their expectations of love are.

I think you also may want to look at the man's dialogue and express it more with imagery.

Just thoughts. I hope some of that helps.

Best,

Todd