I come across all sorts of poems in my continuous hunt for poetry contests and literary journals that might house the verses I wrestle to write. Yesterday, I came across a jewel. A simple, stunning jewel.

The poem was a finalist for Rattle Poetry’s 2013 Contest and was written by Los Angeles-based poet Chanel Brenner, pictured to the right. To read more poems by Ms. Brenner, click here.

Below is the poem that left me stunned.

A POEM FOR WOMEN WHO DON’T WANT CHILDREN

I won’t preach about the rewards of motherhood.

I won’t say it’s the best thing that ever happened to me.

I won’t say it’s the best job I’ve ever had.

I won’t say you’ll regret not having a child.

I won’t say you’ll forget what life was like before.

I won’t say it makes life worth living.

What I will say

is my son died.

What I will say

is I would still do it again.

– Ana Maria Caballero, Zeteo Contributing Writer