When you’ve had enough of people asking about your family planning!
Warning: There may be emotional triggers, related to fertility and loss
Well Meaning Questions
You don’t have a baby!
How can that be?
Surely you want one,
you’re a woman, you see.
You can give birth
and therefore you should.
You’ll feel incomplete,
without motherhood.
What’s that you say?
There’s reasons you can’t?
I was only asking –
there’s no need to rant!
Response
You seem perplexed
at my reluctance to chat,
about personal issues,
fertility and that.
Because I’m a woman,
my fate is decided.
I must be a mother
If not, I’m misguided.
You people don’t think,
of the reasons behind
the absence of children;
but bear this in mind:
Some woman don’t want
a child in the nest.
They’re happy without one
and their decision is best.
Others have tried
again and again.
But a baby ain’t coming –
they’re feeling the strain.
Some have babies
who never were born.
Their heartache is deep
and they’re trying to mourn.
It’s not only the childless
constantly bombarded
with well-meaning comments;
no wonder we’re guarded:
“He’ll be spoilt and lonely,
If he’s not a big brother.
It’s not fair on him,
If you don’t have another.”
“You’ve got 3 the same gender,
that’s such a shame!
You’ll be hoping the next one
isn’t the same.”
“4 children you have!
They’re a handful I see.
It’s clearly obvious
you never watched much tv!
So forgive us all
if we’re not always forthcoming.
There are many prejudices
we’re still overcoming.