ABORTION POEM

[Pravin Kumar]

T’was nearly two years ago that a short bent old lady climbed up to my office and plonked herself in front of me. “What are your views on abortion Bob?” she asked. I shrugged my shoulders indifferently. “Have you ever thought of the unborn babe?” she asked, “That it will never breathe the air you breathe? Feel joy and pain like you do? Can you hear it cry Bob?” she asked and went away.

                                  I heard it cry alright and words rushed out onto computer screen as I shivered with dread at the weeping voice I was hearing:

Mama Hear My Cry..!

Ah mama I’m so happy here, to be inside of you

But you never speak like others do of when your baby’s due.

I hear the other mama’s say ‘my baby’l be born in May

June, July, August.. its gonna be a Happy day’

But you oh mama never talk like others ’bout your baby’s birth?

Oh mama will I ever see your wondrous, lovely earth?

Oh can’t you hear me mama dear, my pain my agony

That I may never ever see the one who’s outside carrin’ me?

Oh hear my cry my mummy dear, so close right now, so near

Oh hear my cry, do I cry in vain? Oh can’t you feel my pain?

Ah mama, I feel so secure to be here inside of you.

The sounds, the sights, the smells are new, but I’m not afraid

No not afraid, because you’re there mama, aren’t you?

You’ll fight for me won’t you my dear?

And take away this strange, strange fear.

That somehow I may never see the face

Of you who carried me these days!

Oh can’t you hear me mama dear, my pain my agony

That I may never ever see the one who’s outside carrin’ me?

Oh hear my cry my mummy dear, so close right now, so near

Oh hear my cry, do I cry in vain? Oh can’t you feel my pain?

Ah mama say it ain’t true of what you’re gonna do

That you ain’t no butcher mama dear, that will hack me in two

That you won’t let rough cruel hands, touch me mama dear

Oh mama say it ain’t true, please take away my fear

Don’t stand so silent mother. Don’t let them do this to me

I am your little, precious child, your sweet, darlin’ baby!

Oh can’t you hear me mama dear, my pain my agony

That I may never ever see the one who’s now outside carryin’ me?

Oh hear my cry my mummy dear, so close right now, so near

Oh hear my cry, do I cry in vain?

Mother why can’t you feel my pain?

[tourbi]