That women birth seems an aside,
The truth of birth we^ like to hide,
With a storkish euphemism,
No real choice is given,
No honour or celebration,
Birth is an enduration*
And so their power, women relent,
And we begin with consent.

But before consent comes The Decision.
Hopefully made with some precision.
Hopefully made with time and space,
Free of pressure to complace*
Beginning with consent,
Removes freedom to dissent,
For here a Yes is implied,
And your freedom is denied.

^we, meaning society
*poetic licence..a play on endurance and compliance.

This poem, written by Catherine Bell in 2014, features in The Birth  Map: boldly going where no birth plan has gone before.

The book was launched on September 29th at the Braidwood Library.  Read Catherine's speech here.   The book is available for online purchase, details here.