by Jan Chronister
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| Arizona for Abortion Access supporters carry photographs of women who died because of abortion bans during the 35th annual All Souls Procession—a two-mile long march for community members to honor ancestors and loved ones who have died—on Nov. 3, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (Mario Tama / Getty Images via Ms. Magazine) |
Click to see "Rest in Power: A Running List of the Preventable Deaths Caused by Abortion Ban" by Roxanne Szal, Ms. Magazine as of November 26, 2024.
At one time
being pregnant
was a dangerous
condition to be in.
I would have died
in childbirth like my
grandmother
if I’d given birth
a hundred years ago.
My daughter, breach,
but barely six pounds.
Small enough
for the doctor to
reach in, position her
for delivery.
How would it have ended
without his help,
called in from fishing,
smoking a pipe.
My son’s cord
wrapped around his neck.
Intervention again.
A healthy baby boy is born.
The third time
I miscarried.
Doctors took care of me,
nuns ministered
to my soul.
No laws prevented them
from saving me.
was a dangerous
condition to be in.
I would have died
in childbirth like my
grandmother
if I’d given birth
a hundred years ago.
My daughter, breach,
but barely six pounds.
Small enough
for the doctor to
reach in, position her
for delivery.
How would it have ended
without his help,
called in from fishing,
smoking a pipe.
My son’s cord
wrapped around his neck.
Intervention again.
A healthy baby boy is born.
The third time
I miscarried.
Doctors took care of me,
nuns ministered
to my soul.
No laws prevented them
from saving me.
Editor’s Note: Women NATIONWIDE can still receive safe, effective & affordable medication abortion services via the ASafeChoice Network of physicians.
Jan Chronister splits her year between northern Wisconsin and southern Georgia. She has authored three full-length poetry collections and ten chapbooks. Her most recent is the fifth annual chapbook recounting the year through poems. Jan poetry appears in numerous print and online journals and anthologies. She also enjoys helping fellow poets publish their work.