Stobhill

I wrote the following poem a number of years ago (aged 14!) in response to a series of dramatic monologues known collectively as 'Stobhill' by Edwin Morgan.

Stobhill – A jury’s verdict

Having heard all the evidence,
And listened to the many sides of the story
We, the jury, have come to the conclusion,
That no one was to blame in this disturbing case.
Yes, the doctor may have been wrong
To perform the abortion.
And yes, the mother was probably wrong
To leave the abortion till so late.
Yes, perhaps the porter was wrong
Not to tell the doctor that the foetus was still alive.
Yes, perchance the boiler man was wrong
Not to throw the bag into the fire.
And yes, maybe the father was wrong
To act as he did that summer evening.
But these people made their decisions for a reason.
It may not have been a good reason,
But it was reason enough
For the doctor to put his career on the line,
For the mother to put herself through trauma,
For the porter to stay silent,
For the boiler man to ask questions,
And for the father to begin a new life.
This case, disturbing as it may be,
Holds a vital lesson.
Not just for all of us here today,
But for the millions around the world
Who are faced with such decisions
And dilemmas every day.
The lesson is thus, no matter
What pain someone endures,
What secrets someone keeps,
What action someone chooses,
What risks someone takes,
There is always a reason.
Always.
Thankyou My Lord.

~Brownowl2012