Babies in Buckets
So many layers...40 total reviews
Comment from LisaMay
Thank God there was a photo of a flower accompanying this graphic yet sanitized poem. (The title was hard hitting and made my mind clench instinctively.) I use 'sanitized' only in the sense of how the abortion is made to sound, just a clinical procedure. Whereas the nurse and the child-mother know more of the ordeal - physical, mental, and moral.
Your poem should be required reading for young people before they engage in sexual activity. And probably for abortion clinics as well.
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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Thank God there was a photo of a flower accompanying this graphic yet sanitized poem. (The title was hard hitting and made my mind clench instinctively.) I use 'sanitized' only in the sense of how the abortion is made to sound, just a clinical procedure. Whereas the nurse and the child-mother know more of the ordeal - physical, mental, and moral.
Your poem should be required reading for young people before they engage in sexual activity. And probably for abortion clinics as well.
Comment Written 25-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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Thanks, Lisa. Unbelievably there were clinical situations in which aborted fetuses were collected in "hazardous waste" buckets and disposed of at the end of a shift. This is not a clarification I wanted to add to the author's notes. Jenna was a patient of mine some years ago. This sorry ordeal has remained with me--particularly the "sanitized" way the doctors explained the abortion procedure to her as "extracting tissue." Thank you for the six. This one was on my heart and insisted upon being posted!--Karenina
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That's distressingly gross. It's an emotive topic.
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Yes. It truly is.
K
Comment from Artasylum
This story was so intriguing... it kept me reading on... such a beautifully expressed Insightful point of view. Her tragic consequence
and her heartbroken life. Thanks for the read. Di
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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This story was so intriguing... it kept me reading on... such a beautifully expressed Insightful point of view. Her tragic consequence
and her heartbroken life. Thanks for the read. Di
Comment Written 25-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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Thank YOU for reading. I appreciate it is a difficult topic. Jenna was a patient I cared for some years ago. The circumstances of her ordeal have remained in my heart. --Karenina
Comment from Gert sherwood
So many layers...
Babies in Buckets
karenina
you know how to make one tear up reading your poem. A young girl only thirteen that was betrayed and telling her dismay, was heart breaking to read.
I wish I had a six to give you.
Gert
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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So many layers...
Babies in Buckets
karenina
you know how to make one tear up reading your poem. A young girl only thirteen that was betrayed and telling her dismay, was heart breaking to read.
I wish I had a six to give you.
Gert
Comment Written 25-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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No worries on sixes. Such a hot topic these days that Jenna, a patient I cared for some years ago, came to mind and the muse would not let me rest until I set this one on the page. Thanks so much.
Karenina
Comment from Theodore McDowell
So FANTASTIC. Virtual six. The last three stanzas and their images and word choices is simply brilliant. The ending is haunting--and calling it a day. Best thing I've read of yours and should be an ALL TIME GREAT. Welcome back and welcome to the free verse world and truly deep emotions. So well done.
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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So FANTASTIC. Virtual six. The last three stanzas and their images and word choices is simply brilliant. The ending is haunting--and calling it a day. Best thing I've read of yours and should be an ALL TIME GREAT. Welcome back and welcome to the free verse world and truly deep emotions. So well done.
Comment Written 25-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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Thanks, Tim! You know I'd love to be able to unleash riff-free verse... In this case, Jenna was a patient I cared for years ago, and the muse was MOST persistent that I do not rhyme or otherwise embellish. Maybe taking breaks is good for the soul...
Karenina
Comment from RGstar
I didn't want to digest the ''men had betrayed her thing, because never that easy, and it certainly takes all sides to tango.
Yet!
Dearest author, this was a very stark piece of work, and kudos for you for putting it forward without showing bias for one side or another. Just a frank account, as poetic, as it is clinically real.
A very strong piece of work. I like the way you are able to maintain your stature in keeping it down the middle and not letting it be read a weapon extreme to suit an agenda.
This is very sharp and, almost, polished to a clinical perfection.
The reality is immense...words, almost traumatic, plunges one into the world where your quill begins, and greatness begins.
Bravo.
Have a great day,
Good to see you back writing, dearest author.
My best.
Best wishes.
RG
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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I didn't want to digest the ''men had betrayed her thing, because never that easy, and it certainly takes all sides to tango.
Yet!
Dearest author, this was a very stark piece of work, and kudos for you for putting it forward without showing bias for one side or another. Just a frank account, as poetic, as it is clinically real.
A very strong piece of work. I like the way you are able to maintain your stature in keeping it down the middle and not letting it be read a weapon extreme to suit an agenda.
This is very sharp and, almost, polished to a clinical perfection.
The reality is immense...words, almost traumatic, plunges one into the world where your quill begins, and greatness begins.
Bravo.
Have a great day,
Good to see you back writing, dearest author.
My best.
Best wishes.
RG
Comment Written 25-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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You know how much I respect your work. Thus, your comments please me immensely. This was not meant as political commentary and I am very pleased you were able to feel that in what is a rare attempt at free verse, for me. I do believe taking a break now and then allows me to refocus with intensity. Thank you so very much for the six stars.
Karenina
Comment from L. Kalere
You've outdone yourself with this amazing "expose" of what really goes on in a world that "sterilizes" and dehumanizes these tragic victims. It's heart-rending to read, but more-so to experience it. You've written with so much compassion, love, fear, anger and indignation; as this subject deserves. Thank you for all of it.
Linda
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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You've outdone yourself with this amazing "expose" of what really goes on in a world that "sterilizes" and dehumanizes these tragic victims. It's heart-rending to read, but more-so to experience it. You've written with so much compassion, love, fear, anger and indignation; as this subject deserves. Thank you for all of it.
Linda
Comment Written 25-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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Thank you, Linda. Although I did not include this in the author's notes the title came from the sad reality in several clinical settings that I knew of during my nursing career--of collecting aborted fetuses in a hazardous waste bucket and disposing of "the extracted tissue" once per shift. It was horrifying. Jenna was a patient of mine and has never slipped from my memory. I am indebted to you for these six stars! --Karenina
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I worked in Pathology my entire career, and witnessed the results of a spontaneous abortion. How it was disposed was a sickening reality and It's affected me my entire life...even as I write this. I'm so, so sorry that you had to go through that horror. As for your young patient, she must have been emotionally scarred for life, but at least she had someone kind and understanding to help her through it.
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The stuff of nightmares.
I, too, can never "unsee" the carnage.
I often wonder what became of Jenna...
Comment from damommy
Oh, Karenina, you really plucked at my heartstrings with this poem. It's beautifully written, and brings that occasion to life. Take comfort in the fact that young woman will always remember the angel to took time to comfort her. I understand how you felt about the men she should have depended on. They will have to live with their consciences.
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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Oh, Karenina, you really plucked at my heartstrings with this poem. It's beautifully written, and brings that occasion to life. Take comfort in the fact that young woman will always remember the angel to took time to comfort her. I understand how you felt about the men she should have depended on. They will have to live with their consciences.
Comment Written 25-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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It's a hot button topic--Jenna was my patient some years back and I hoped to present this in a non-political way-- My heart still breaks for her...and for what might have been. I have explained my title in several preceding reviews. I could not include it in my author's notes. It's just too painful. Thank you so much for your support, always...and for the six stars!
Karenina
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
Babies in Buckets
by karenina
Hello, Karenina, how are you doing? Your poem is very sad but I know it happens a lot. Poor girl so young. Are you a nurse?
I like the presentation.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
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reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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Babies in Buckets
by karenina
Hello, Karenina, how are you doing? Your poem is very sad but I know it happens a lot. Poor girl so young. Are you a nurse?
I like the presentation.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 25-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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I am a nurse. Retired--but as they say, "nurse" is who I am, not what I was! Jenna was my patient. The memory is real. I am debating including the reason for the title in my author's notes. It's so horrifying I have yet to decide but have explained it in some comments here. Thanks so much for reading!
Karenina
Comment from Jay Squires
The story within the poem brought tears in this old man's eyes and a lump in his throat. For the words themselves, and for the meter that held them and set them free: I celebrate the poet. "Forehead like used tinfoil" is an image worth a hundred poems I've read.
God Bless You, Karenina. It's good to have you here today!
Jay
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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The story within the poem brought tears in this old man's eyes and a lump in his throat. For the words themselves, and for the meter that held them and set them free: I celebrate the poet. "Forehead like used tinfoil" is an image worth a hundred poems I've read.
God Bless You, Karenina. It's good to have you here today!
Jay
Comment Written 25-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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It seems the muse is stubborn even when I take a break. When I am calling for her, she is elusive. When I take a break, this memory of Jenna bubbles up and the words flow... Tim keeps encouraging me to write free verse! I got out of my way, and this wrote itself. Thanks so much for the six stars! --Karenina
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You could do worse than choose Tim to mentor your free verse. He's among the best.
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He's been most enthusiastic that I took the plunge with this one! He swears he's going to free me from the stifling boundaries of poetic forms! Smile---
K
Comment from lyenochka
I'm tearing up as I read this. Thank you for being there for Jenna-Lou. Years later, she will remember the light that shone through in her darkest time of her young life. Thank you for sharing - beautiful way to show us with dialogue in the midst of the frenzy of saving lives in a cruel world.
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reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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I'm tearing up as I read this. Thank you for being there for Jenna-Lou. Years later, she will remember the light that shone through in her darkest time of her young life. Thank you for sharing - beautiful way to show us with dialogue in the midst of the frenzy of saving lives in a cruel world.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 25-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022
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Hello! So much for official "breaks" right? Darn muse plays tag with me when I'm on here every single day...and yet when I take a pause this memory of my patient from years ago, Jenna, demanded to be written! I envy those that can pen free verse and wish I could unleash my words as they do. This one just wrote itself...
Thanks, my friend!
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So thankful you shared!! 💖 Hooray for your muse!!
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Now if she's only stay put for a day or so!
(smile)
