For Wendy Davis

For Wendy Davis
a poem by Bald Soprano 

my story,
        mine

standing in the texas legislature
standing in the galleries
standing in the hallways
standing in the streets

my story,
        mine

my pain, my health
my agonized decision
or easy one

my story,
        mine

you cannot shut me up
you cannot tell me
to sit down

you cannot tell me
to be quiet

you cannot tell me
that I learned
the wrong lessons

you cannot tell me
that nothing I say
is germaine and
everything you say
is

my story,
        mine.

shouting in the legislature
shouting in the galleries
shouting in the hallways
shouting in the streets

my body,
my story,
        mine.

* * *

[NB: Not only women need access to a full spectrum of reproductive health options.]