I Beg Your Pardon? Poem by Mark Heathcote

Why does a woman; need to explain her movements?
Her menstruation patterns or why she's travelling,
border guards doing their usual abrasive duties ask.
Lady, why are you crossing this here border
is it for an abortion, is it? Is it? Answer me!
'I beg your pardon? '

Well, it isn't happening, not-on-my-watch - no siree!
I-too-was-born and raised in the south lady
with the same good values and moral compass
as all these other good folks hereabouts.
'I beg your pardon? ' Lady, answer me!
I'm doing the talking, lady; answer the question.

I believe you should accept what the Lord has given you.
Accept it even if it came about without mutual consent.
'I beg your pardon.' Shush lady, listen, just hear-me-out.
Even if it came about by rape, even if the father is-
biologically your father, you shouldn't commit murder.
'I beg your pardon' what did you-just-say.

Look, don't-cry-lady,
I don't-legitimate-or-condone rapes
but fate is fate, so we should not mess with God's plan,
turn back now, and we'll forget that we ever met.
Turn back now and repent, repent, repent.

'Oh, I see you mean like all those other missing-fathers
and their fathers before.' Such virgin-Kings-have no narrative
in this plot or can decide my lot you don't narrate my story.
Border guards in tandem, 'I beg your pardon? '
Lady answers back. No, no, no-you're-not that easily - forgiven.