"It is physically impossible for you to become pregnant
Anymore..."
Someone in my social oval felt prompted to point
Out
As though that logistical fact in any way diffuses the
Attack
As if my inability to suffer equally (even terminally) as
Sisters
Will across this great, broken nation could in any way
Alleviate
My concern, my frustration, my anger. Are we not all
Taught
Empathize, put ourselves in one another's shoes as
Barometers
Of compassion, humanity, ethics? I have no trouble
Recounting
The fact that - in my relative youth and beyond - I went
Panicked
In the middle of the night as a rule to emergency
Rooms
Loving partners in tow (no one night stands here) in
Need
Of morning after (morning of) pills as no method is
Perfect
What broke back then will break again the word over
Regardless
Of my personal circumstance and so the "why do you
Care?"
Subtext perceived from words meant to assure me
Unwittingly
Becomes a flare for selfishness I try not to judge but
Time
Is a continuum and if you believe as I always have any
One
Of us could be the other any sister, any cousin, brother
What does it matter my procreating abilities are over?
Why
Does something have to affect someone personally
Anyway
For it to "hit home" these days have we really become
So
Inhumane? Standing on the corner of my proverbial
Lawn
I hold up a sign that clearly and unequivocally shouts
"This
Is wrong!" And whether or not you choose to join my
Voice
If you love me at all you will acknowledge my
Presence
What does it mean to respect someone you love if not
Listening
What does it mean to protect someone you call
Blood
If not providing safe passage home when I look back
Youth
Was fraught with adults masking danger to the
Point
Where, left to my own growing up, I raised myself
More
Than once from the ashes and was lifted by literal
Angels
To those in my life who asked the right questions but
Never
Forced my answers - you know who you are - I say
This
Special prayer of gratitude, reminding myself, gently,
Strength
Is acquired through solidarity bravery is inspired by
Consistency
So yes; my days of worrying about birth control are
Past
But my nights, sleepless with worry of what
Wrenching
Away of fellow sisters' and LGBTQ+ and goddess
Knows
Who else's ability to steer our bodily destinies safely is
Just
Beginning harnessing brainstorming communicating
Outtatheway
Tear gas is supposedly a last resort to disperse unruly
Crowds
Deemed unsafe to the general public or police
Force
Is not supposed to be used unless absolutely
Necessary
G-d bless Theocracy land that I love / stand beside
Her
And guide her through the night with the light from
Above
