Babies in Buckets
So many layers...40 total reviews
Comment from Ric Myworld
Wow, for once, I'm kind of at a loss for words. You've said it all, just leaving us readers to sit dumbfounded at how much we overlook in a day or night. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2022
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Wow, for once, I'm kind of at a loss for words. You've said it all, just leaving us readers to sit dumbfounded at how much we overlook in a day or night. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 26-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2022
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Thanks Ric. Every now and then reality kicks my muse in the pants and free verse ensues. I truly appreciate the six-stars and most of all, your comments.
Karenina
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
This is a shocking and powerful write Karenina and I don't think I have ever read anything quite like this from you before. This is a raw and painful poem to read, but it is the reality that exists in these clinics, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2022
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This is a shocking and powerful write Karenina and I don't think I have ever read anything quite like this from you before. This is a raw and painful poem to read, but it is the reality that exists in these clinics, love Dolly x
Comment Written 26-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2022
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Thank you, Dolly. It is difficult to write free verse, more difficult to relive a persistent memory that I know is such an emotive issue. Taking a bit of a break allowed tis to bubble to the surface and I hoped to present the experience in a way that did not lean into politics or emotional judgment. The reality of it all is quite horrific. I do appreciate you taking the time to read and comment on it!
Thanks again, Karenina
Comment from Susan Newell
Welcome back Karenina. I'm sorry to be out of sixes. This tore at my heart all the way through. Your last line is powerful, showing how casually such events are viewed. That poor child knew she lost her baby, regardless of the "healing" people telling her it was "extracted tissue." How long will this plague of abortion be accepted? The early sexual training of our children in the government schools has to be part of the "unwanted pregnancy" equation. The teaching attempts to separate morality from biological urges and functions. The culture assault on men leads to fathers and boyfriends who behave as those did. I don't know how you can not be traumatized by these events, in addition to all the other tragedies that befall people who face illnesses and injuries. Prayers for your emotional health and peace of mind.
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2022
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Welcome back Karenina. I'm sorry to be out of sixes. This tore at my heart all the way through. Your last line is powerful, showing how casually such events are viewed. That poor child knew she lost her baby, regardless of the "healing" people telling her it was "extracted tissue." How long will this plague of abortion be accepted? The early sexual training of our children in the government schools has to be part of the "unwanted pregnancy" equation. The teaching attempts to separate morality from biological urges and functions. The culture assault on men leads to fathers and boyfriends who behave as those did. I don't know how you can not be traumatized by these events, in addition to all the other tragedies that befall people who face illnesses and injuries. Prayers for your emotional health and peace of mind.
Comment Written 26-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2022
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Jenna was my patient some years ago. It speaks to the impact attending to her needs and witnessing her struggle had on me. No need for sixes, but thanks for the mention of them! Certainly, there is trauma here... It has not diminished with time, I assure you! Although I'm on a hiatus, this one would not wait--that darn muse comes and goes as she pleases! Thank you again,
Karenina
Comment from royowen
This is so, so sad. And you're right about the layers, this poor character believed she didn't have a choice, and later she'll know she did have a choice, and the lost child will always haunt her, and she'll hate the men who coerced her. This is a magnificent post, you've written here Karen, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2022
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This is so, so sad. And you're right about the layers, this poor character believed she didn't have a choice, and later she'll know she did have a choice, and the lost child will always haunt her, and she'll hate the men who coerced her. This is a magnificent post, you've written here Karen, blessings Roy
Comment Written 26-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2022
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Thanks, Roy. Layer upon layer upon layer. Difficult to write--particularly while not heaping political or moral innuendo upon the very real memory of my time with Jenna. I think of her often, though it has been some years... I so appreciate your read and comments!
Karenina
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Yet, Gpd would still forgive
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I have no doubt...
Comment from WalkerMan
K, your muse may be elusive at times, but certainly knows when to be insistent. Though heartrending, this is a true story that needed to be told, so the sad human reality for once displaces the politics of the matter (and you won't have to bear the burden of the memory alone.
As soon as I saw the title, I realized what the subject would be. By avoiding unnecessary detail, you minimized the anger some readers might have felt instead of the empathy you effectively elicited.
I consider Jenna-Lou's father responsible for what happened to her because his comment to her indicates that he had neither compassion for her plight nor anything helpful to offer. There is no hint of the unconditional love and positive guidance he should have shown her all along, and there is no mention of her mother (who may have either left or died beforehand), so her boyfriend represented the only semblance of love she could find. Sadly, he was not mature enough either to refrain from intimacy with a girl of her age or to handle the result of their intimacy, whether or not he had tried to prevent it through use of condoms, which may break. At the hospital, the absence of her parents confirms my view; and the absence of her boyfriend is typical behavior of boys his age, especially if he had no one to turn to for caring advice.
You are right that society has not sufficiently resolved this issue, thereby putting young women in particular at risk -- immediately to their health, and for the rest of their lives to their emotions.
Your unconditional caring for Jenna-Lou likely both saved her life and instilled a lifetime memory that she mattered to SOMEONE. That alone may have set her life onto a better path. Perhaps the flower illustration represents how Jenna-Lou may later have blossomed because of your brief presence in her life.
Superb.
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2022
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K, your muse may be elusive at times, but certainly knows when to be insistent. Though heartrending, this is a true story that needed to be told, so the sad human reality for once displaces the politics of the matter (and you won't have to bear the burden of the memory alone.
As soon as I saw the title, I realized what the subject would be. By avoiding unnecessary detail, you minimized the anger some readers might have felt instead of the empathy you effectively elicited.
I consider Jenna-Lou's father responsible for what happened to her because his comment to her indicates that he had neither compassion for her plight nor anything helpful to offer. There is no hint of the unconditional love and positive guidance he should have shown her all along, and there is no mention of her mother (who may have either left or died beforehand), so her boyfriend represented the only semblance of love she could find. Sadly, he was not mature enough either to refrain from intimacy with a girl of her age or to handle the result of their intimacy, whether or not he had tried to prevent it through use of condoms, which may break. At the hospital, the absence of her parents confirms my view; and the absence of her boyfriend is typical behavior of boys his age, especially if he had no one to turn to for caring advice.
You are right that society has not sufficiently resolved this issue, thereby putting young women in particular at risk -- immediately to their health, and for the rest of their lives to their emotions.
Your unconditional caring for Jenna-Lou likely both saved her life and instilled a lifetime memory that she mattered to SOMEONE. That alone may have set her life onto a better path. Perhaps the flower illustration represents how Jenna-Lou may later have blossomed because of your brief presence in her life.
Superb.
Comment Written 26-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2022
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Indeed that was my hope for the flower. Jenna, you will not be surprised, has remained a most profound memory. The challenge was to write the truth while not leaning in on the politics. You have (as always) validated my effort with a profound review, which honors the humanity of a thirteen year old who I hope had a chance in her life to deal with this loss and find peace where so little was offered her. Perhaps by some quirk of fate our paths will cross again. I'd like that very much...
Thank you so much. The six is very nice. Your comments are priceless.
Karenina
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You are most welcome, K. Yes, that flower is symbolic of your prayers for Jenna. Now that I have read this, I'll remember her too. You met the challenge perfectly, thereby keeping your readers focused on your message. Yes, I'm sure she would like to see you again too.
Thank you for such high praise of my review. I appreciate that. :)) -- Mike
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Big hugs!
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Hugs back! :))
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
SSSSSStupendous. Apologies that I can't officially give this ssssssix stars--as a non-paying member, I don't have the option, as I just found out to my dismay. This piece is devastating--the imagery is excruciating--the phrasing is brutal--as apt for the theme--I mean all this as high praise! SSSSSSo SSSSSSorry about the SSSSSStars. Cheerssssss. LIZ
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2022
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SSSSSStupendous. Apologies that I can't officially give this ssssssix stars--as a non-paying member, I don't have the option, as I just found out to my dismay. This piece is devastating--the imagery is excruciating--the phrasing is brutal--as apt for the theme--I mean all this as high praise! SSSSSSo SSSSSSorry about the SSSSSStars. Cheerssssss. LIZ
Comment Written 26-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2022
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Hey you! So awesome there's a way for you to review! Forget the six star thing. Your SSSSSSSSSS-es are fantastic! Thanks a zillion!
Karenina
Comment from robyn corum
K. A. R. E. N.
Oh...my...stars.
THIS is why you have to be here. In the end~like NFL football~we should have started offering to *trade off* to keep you here.
It frustrates me that you do not post MORE ~ but when you are creating Sistine Chapel sort of work~ i guess i get it.
Out of the park. Straight into my pounding heart. Shoulda been a contest entry, though.
Also, consider sending to:
BetterThanStarbucks.com
I ADORE you!! Write. Write. Write!!
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2022
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K. A. R. E. N.
Oh...my...stars.
THIS is why you have to be here. In the end~like NFL football~we should have started offering to *trade off* to keep you here.
It frustrates me that you do not post MORE ~ but when you are creating Sistine Chapel sort of work~ i guess i get it.
Out of the park. Straight into my pounding heart. Shoulda been a contest entry, though.
Also, consider sending to:
BetterThanStarbucks.com
I ADORE you!! Write. Write. Write!!
Comment Written 26-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2022
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Ha-ha. I have a most irritable muse. When I come on every day and review for hours --not a whisper of a inspiration for myself. When I declare a hiatus, "miss muse" gets all haughty and wakes me in the dead of night insisting that I write!
Maybe this break will shake a few posts loose... Free verse even! Jenna was my patient years back.
The Neanderthals used to collect aborted fetuses in a hazardous waste bucket and dispose of the "extracted tissue" once at the end of each shift. Horrifying. Hence, the title... I adore you BACK! Thanks for the sixer... Thanks for reviewing it at all as I had little to promote it. The Starbucks thing? A for real site? I'll check it out!
(And try to write more!)
Karenina
Comment from aryr
Wow, your words said it all, Karenina. There was no question about it. This was a definite abortion and all the nitty gritty we know about it. What a shame that Jenna-Lou was degraded by her father and her boyfriend. She couldn't keep her offspring. Very well done and sadly but greatly enjoyed.
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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Wow, your words said it all, Karenina. There was no question about it. This was a definite abortion and all the nitty gritty we know about it. What a shame that Jenna-Lou was degraded by her father and her boyfriend. She couldn't keep her offspring. Very well done and sadly but greatly enjoyed.
Comment Written 25-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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Thanks so much for the six on this very sad free verse. Jenna, sweet thing--was my patient. It sticks with me to this day--the way she was degraded and the way her abortion was "sanitized" by the doctors. Horrifyingly, the clinic she went to collected aborted fetuses in a hazardous waste bucket and disposed of them once per shift. Hence, the title. I have no idea if this still occurs.
Karenina
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You are so very welcome, Karenina. I spent six months during my training in an abortion clinic in Canada, trust me they are not much different there than here.
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Wow. That must have taken an emotional toll!
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It was rough but I learned a lot, especially that abortion was not a means of birth control.
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Amen to that!
Comment from l.raven
Hi Karenina, tears my sweet friend....
how could a father, a mother???...put their
child through something like that...forget
about the boyfriend...she was to young to understand...
she will remember it her entire life...always
with every relationship she has...she'll see
men through eyes of betrayal...
I see you found your muse sweet girl...sad...but
wonderfully written...picture...perfect...I love your
poem...and so glad to see you back...love you...Linda xxoo
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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Hi Karenina, tears my sweet friend....
how could a father, a mother???...put their
child through something like that...forget
about the boyfriend...she was to young to understand...
she will remember it her entire life...always
with every relationship she has...she'll see
men through eyes of betrayal...
I see you found your muse sweet girl...sad...but
wonderfully written...picture...perfect...I love your
poem...and so glad to see you back...love you...Linda xxoo
Comment Written 25-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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Although my break is officially on, this patient of mine from years ago-- poor sweet Jenna -- kept persisting she be remembered. It is a heart-breaking story that plays out over and over... Although it is a hot-button issue, for me this is not a political commentary for as you say-- I am certain Jenna has never forgotten! Thanks so much for reading!
Karenina
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Hi Karenina, it is something neither one of you will ever forget...I can't imagine holding this precious child...and feeling the pain she was in...in her body and soul...and can so understand never forgetting her...I pray for God to help her through life...
and you as well...God Bless...and your so welcome...love xxoo
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Thank you so much...
It's just a tragedy in every way.
K
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Amen...always so welcome...love xxoo
Comment from Eternal Muse
This is a horrifying story, Karen. 13? Unfathomable! Didn't these kids know about birth control? You describe the agony of her bleeding and near death state well. I am afraid to ask -- Did she make it?
This is a heartbreaking story, Karen. How could you survive in this environment for so many years? Must be your tough Irish spirit (smile).
A very good story and a good social commentary.
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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This is a horrifying story, Karen. 13? Unfathomable! Didn't these kids know about birth control? You describe the agony of her bleeding and near death state well. I am afraid to ask -- Did she make it?
This is a heartbreaking story, Karen. How could you survive in this environment for so many years? Must be your tough Irish spirit (smile).
A very good story and a good social commentary.
Comment Written 25-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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Thanks for the six. She did make it. This is a sad state of affairs that occurs daily across the land. Nurses must care for each patient--it is difficult at times. This young woman has remained in my heart for years. --Karenina
