This is the story of a young girl, age 21
Two years of college to go, two years of college done
She didn’t know what the future would hold
But she knew she had ambitions, she knew she had goals
She had a boyfriend and they had been dating for a while
Living together feelings started to compile
Now she couldn’t let go because there was love there
And even in denial she was still aware
He wasn’t going anywhere- no he wasn’t her equal-
But that love kept her going like a never-ending sequel
They usually tried to practice sexual safety, although there was a slip-up occasionally
Before long they were taken by surprise when that time of the month came and went right by
So he goes out and buys her a pregnancy test, it comes back positive
So now are they cursed or blessed?
They went to talk to a nurse about options
She said you can keep it or give it up for adoption
Said they had to go home, think on it for a day or two
So much on their minds, so much to sort through
Six hours sat in silence, their minds went wild
Boy’s thinking: what will he or she look like? My child...what will we name it, so much to consider.
Girl’s thinking: what will I look and feel like eight months bigger?
After much deliberation and mental contortion they finally decided on abortion.
Boy’s hesitant, says “abortion is killing a baby.”
Girl says, “No, pro-choice gives me the right to say maybe.”
And it was the hardest decision she had ever had to make. One year from then boy makes his break.
And if you’re thinking that this story is about me. The truth is it could be me or anybody
There are over 126,000 women a day that have to make this decision.
Don’t judge until you’ve been in their position.
Editor’s note: This is the text of a spoken-word piece delivered at the Take Back The Night rally in Monument Square last week.
