Breast Feeding Poem by Juan Olivarez

She was sitting in the terminal,
On a bench away from everyone else.
She was holding a little bundle,
That squirmed and kicked, and started to cry.

Carefully and very gently she covered the tiny child,
With another blanket she pulled out of a bag.
Then she proceeded to pull one of her breasts,
Out and offered it to the child.

Nothing was exposed, she was very careful,
About that and everyone could see, that it was,
The most natural thing in the world,
Well almost everyone.

Almost immediately the manager of the terminal,
Along with a security guard approached her.
And without even letting her answer,
Started berating her, for breast feeding her child.

It got so bad, the young lady started crying,
And then the infant, sensing his mother's distress,
Started to cry also.
A terrible anguished cry.

It was then that several passengers, men and women,
Came to the young lady's defense.
They started in on the manager, who seemed perplexed,
That he was the bad guy.

The police were called, and the manager was severely,
Reprimanded by a big red headed Irish cop.
Apologies were made, and the young girl,
Was calmed down by the officers.

About thirty minutes later she caught the bus,
Headed for the San Fernando valley.
Along with her baby who still cried in her arms.
Mans inhumanity to man.


(8/17/11-Alton Texas)