Heartbeat
If six years ago
had been today
...
would I be
the survivor or
the accused?
...
in Alabama state
...
technically
the baby had made
it to eight weeks
...
there had been
a heartbeat
...
if six years ago
had been today
...
after my partner
assaulted me and
the placenta detached
from my uterine wall and
my body wouldn’t give up
on the life dying inside it
...
in Alabama state
...
would there be a trial?
...
would I have to prove
...
it wasn’t my fault
...
he came after me
...
it wasn’t something I wanted
...
as he slammed my belly
against the deck
the table
the couch
...
the window ledge
...
if six years ago
had been today
...
would they
...
take into account
that I screamed
and I fought
as he didn’t stop
...
believe that I
did my best as he
pressed and he
pressed
...
in Alabama state
...
would it matter
that three and a half
weeks later when I
went in to hear it
for the first time
...
I left with my own
ripped in two
...
my breasts still full
senses on high
my entire world still built
on there being a
YOU AND I
...
if six years ago
had been today
...
would they intervene
when I try to deny
...
insist I get the procedure
to preserve my own life
...
in Alabama state
...
would I be given
the help
...
the hope
...
to make it to
six years from today?
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a
Premium Membership.
