TO THOSE IN POWER
I am a consequence of sex
Maybe planned, maybe not
What do I have to give the world
Maybe something, maybe not
You see a future taxpayer
I see a life of debt
You see a future soldier
I see a killer of life
You see doctrine and dogma
I see religion's chains
You see more children in the playground
I see more children in the ghetto
You see purpose
I see pain
Maybe I am more than a consequence of sex
But what if I'm not
How dare you place such a burden on my mother
Don't you love her
I guess not
To you, she is just a machine to make more taxpayers
To you, she is just a manufacturer of soldiers
I love my mother
I will love my mother
I would give my life for my mother
If that is what I need to do
In twenty years
You will sign me up to fight in your war
I will be asked to give my life for my country
Today, can I give my life for someone I love more
Why won't you let me fight now
Why won't you let me win now
Why must I breathe if only for your bloody agenda
I want my life to matter
Even if it is only for this brief moment in time
My life does matter
But not in this way
SINCERELY
YOUR UNBORN TAXPAYER AND SOLDIER
© Ruby Neumann
Poet's Note:
Today the American Supreme Court overturned abortion rights. Google it… it's all over the news.
I wept today and wanted to find a river that would accept my tears. So I wrote this letter, this poem.
Who am I to have a voice for the unborn? I am Canadian. I live in a country that legalized abortion and has stood by that decision.
Who am I? I am a woman who cries today. I am a poet who can only create a picture. I can't turn any heads. I can't change American policy. I can only weep and write. I hope it is enough.
