Controlling Voices, Controlling Choices
                      9/20/95


Janet was good in school
all of her friends thought she was cool
a boy named Charles 
thought so to

By the age of thirteen
she decided it would be nice 
to ignore her parents advice
stop waiting
and start dating

Tamara had told her
it was so nice to let go
and let a boy hold her
Janet could not deny it
she had to try it
Forgetting the danger of HIV
But, 
Janet thought it wont’ happen to me
Ignoring the protection
She followed Charles direction

Within a week 
she started to feel ill 
in the mornings
But, she was optimistic still
and ignored the warnings

Soon, Janet began to gain weight
when it occurred to her 
this is something
that could be the result of her date
But, only a doctor would know for sure

So Janet went and took the test
sick with worry over what would be best
assuming it was bad,
She confided in Tamara
Tamara was the best friend Janet had
She told Janet there was only one thing to do
Get rid of it
and no one will know it was you
In a fit of fear, Janet became confused
she felt any direction would be 
one she would lose

Janet had to much pride 
to ask mom or dad
and she hurt to much inside
to let them think anything bad
about their perfect little girl

Janet had to decide 
what to do
She had to come out
and do the one thing 
she had not tried

She had to solve 
her own problems
become her own person
Janet had to evolve 
beyond the child
of thirteen
She stopped, looked in the mirror and smiled
It was all gone, the fun
She was in childhood’s end
as her baby’s life began
Her pregnancy 
Is what happens when  
you listen to 
someone else tell you
what to do
Happy to be alive
she realized
in all of her misery
at least 
she didn’t have HIV....

© Rodney C. Walmer  9/20/95