Unjust(ice)

I had an odd and rather disappointing conversation with a friend (and fellow chronic illness warrior), whose current views left me shocked (and saddened, too, if I’m totally honest). We, like most of world, were discussing the effects of the overturning of Roe v. Wade—specifically, the state of Ohio refusing healthcare services to a 10-year-old rape victim.

“I don’t understand the kind of mind or heart that forces a child to birth the offspring of her rapist”, I said. “The Supreme Court is there to interpret the law, not to shove their beliefs down everyone else’s throats; especially when doing so victimizes someone who has already been abused.”

My friend, whom I believed I knew well (but I was obviously mistaken), said, “I’ve always been pro-choice and pro-law. It is good when those in power have morals. I’m happy the law is finally reminding certain women that they can’t go around killing babies.”   

I just stared at her, convinced she had just made a distasteful joke. When no laughter followed her statement, I asked, “Are you serious? Really, really serious?”

“Everyone should be serious about this”, she told me. “What if the baby some woman aborts was part of god’s plan to make our world better, to right wrongs. These kinds of things aren’t always as clear cut as we want them to be. We should remember that—”

“Never mind,” I said to her. “I don’t think I can have this conversation with anyone who implies that their god’s plan for world betterment can involve rape and be okay.”

She didn’t stop talking. For some reason, she felt the need to waste time explaining to me that her ‘god works in mysterious ways’. I just shook my head, picked up my blackout poetry book, and started crafting a piece about this particular bit of madness.

Unjust might is wickedness,
not morality.

- for Poets and Storytellers United--Friday Writings #35: Hope.

Let the Summer Rain Be Cleansing Tears

not-quite Journaling, 37

6/21/2022: I hope the Summer Solstice (or Winter, if you are in the Southern Hemisphere) finds you well. I’ve been battling a nasty headache and fatigue, but knowing that the world keeps turning (no matter what) makes things less excruciating.

 

6/22/2022: Wasps aren’t the most beloved of creatures, but I like them. I live pretty high up, and although the occasional bee visits my balcony, wasps do the bulk of the pollination (not just pollination, but also the kind of predation that keeps pests under control). Every year, I provide nesting, in order to attract a queen. This year, she ignored my offered and chose to build her home on the neck of an angel.

 

her world grows smaller,
her body becomes just meat
when choice is removed

6/24/2022: “The U.S. Supreme Court officially reversed Roe v. Wade on Friday, declaring that the constitutional right to abortion upheld for nearly a half century, no longer exists.” ~ NPR

That was the first thing I read this morning, and the words broke my heart. I don’t understand how we continue to move backwards. I’ve seen people (especially some women) celebrating this atrocity, and I don’t understand them either. Don’t they get it? After they enslave the uterus, the brain and heart aren’t all that far behind. And if you think this sounds a bit too melodramatic, then you haven’t been paying attention. 

 

Let
the summer
rain be cleansing
tears, before the rainbows
ahead.

6/27/2022: There is something peaceful about a garden after a summer rain. Everything looks fresh, lush, soothing… and I’m grateful for that. Because on these days of turmoil and “justice” done wrong, a bit (all right, a lot) of soothing is exactly what the spirit needs (even if for just a moment).

 

- the day after the Summer Solstice, I found out that I had COVID. My symptoms (fever, chills, vomiting…) were horrible for about 36 hours, then things got better. A few days ago, my Piano Man became positive. His symptoms are very mild. Most of my symptoms are gone, but I’m still tired and my sense of taste remains… not quite right.

- Roe v. Wade image borrowed from Los Angeles Times.

- for Poets and Storytellers United--Friday Writings #33: Daring to Dream.