Abortion

Give me a picture, the ultrasound.
Please . . . just one look.
I can point out every flaw with reason.
Even those under the skin.

Take a deep breath . . .

Okay! Take it back!
Scratch out the face
Rip it! Burn it!
And when the ashes fall
Catch them in a pot.

A handful of soil and a few shed tears
Will grow a pure white lily,
Long green leaves with a single vine woven in between.
Innocent, shameless, all that of a virgin;
Who you will forever be.
I wrote you a letter the day you died,
Threw it in an old box and cried.
But I have it with me today,
To read to you with most sympathy,
For I feel no regret for leaving you no other choice but death.