Passing Judgments On My Womb, Incrementally Poem by hollie ash

she is too young! they whisper behind my back
it is hard to be such a young mother! they declare through pursed lips
how will she make it? they bemoan
she has no job and therefore no future! they predict
at least her body will bounce back! they bitch

when is she going to have children? they inquire to my mother
give them grandchildren! they pant with eager eyes
doesn't she want a big family? they judge
now she can quit her job to stay home with the children! they admire
her body will recover with lots of hard work! they agree

it's high-risk at her age, you know? they discuss over brunch
they won't leave the nest before she retires! they pity,401(k) summary in hand
isn't the generation gap too large? they sneer
with her job, she can hire an au pair! they decide
her body will never be the same again! they approve