“Whilst many people are now incensed by cruel changes to abortion law coming into effect in some states of America, Northern Ireland’s policies are often overlooked. As citizens of the United Kingdom if we are appalled about America we should too be appalled about our own nation. This poem is a great reminder of that and stylistically references many an NHS questionnaire I have filled in, which is a great way to discuss the medical nature of abortion rather than the moral panic.” Our thanks as ever to guest editor Kinsman!
If you are under the moon’s bleeding sway
(in support of the Northern Irish campaign to liberalise the abortion law)
If you are under the moon’s bleeding sway
in the North
If you don’t have a couple of thou
in the North
If you live like an anchorite
in the North
If you don’t have beautiful sex with him
in the North
If you have beautiful sex with her
in the North
If you wait too long
in the North
If you trust the post(man)
in the North
If you trust your flatmates
in the North
If mifepristone and prostaglandin are poetry
in the North
You are a woman, my daughter
You are a woman with choice
You can miss the boat from the North.
Moira Garland lives in Leeds. Her poetry has appeared in magazines including The North, and in anthologies such as Pale Fire: New Writings on the Moon. She was the winner of the Leeds Peace Poetry Competition 2016. She is a retired melodeon player, and ex-college lecturer.
Celebrating Change 