Convict Labour

“Be still for Chrisake!
The head is crowning. 
Now be still, damn you!”

These women are the damned
Crammed into slab huts
At the edge of Hell.
Condemned as sluts,
Their bellies swell
With hunger
Or some bastard’s bastard brats.

"Be still, please God!
Let the brat be still!"
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Hankins Avatar
May 29, 2021 at 9:31 AM
A very interesting piece of writing, Barry. Childbirth would hardly be a blessing under these kinds of circumstances.
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