What keeps these Women going?

A woman’s desire for children often defeats
all other rationale pointing to the opposite
Age, health, finance or the lack of it does not sway them
Neither is adoption, surrogate, babysitting nieces
and nephews, or volunteering enough
In their quest for their biological children
they go through all sorts of medical and unorthodox interventions

They listen and endure as 'concerned' in - laws, family,
friends and neighbours suggest one alternative,
sexual position, herb or another.
The fortunate ones have spouses or partners
who support them all the way,
others are plagued with men who either withdraw
and allow them seek the solution or
find the ‘easier’ solution themselves

As months draw into years without conception
they hope that the next ovulation or appointment will favour them
Sometimes this hope is hinged on religious belief,
medical advancements or both
In communities where this is a stigma they bear the insults,
threats and isolation that go with it
They are labelled childless, barren, infertile, fruitless
and every other imaginable name under the sun

Even as they agonize, they put up a cheerful and optimistic façade
They bury themselves in their work or businesses
and evade discussions or anything that may lead to it
At pregnancy celebrations, deliveries and baby birthdays,
they rejoice the most and give the finest gifts
so nobody accuse them of jealousy

I look at these women and I can’t help but wonder
what keeps them going?
How do they manage to hide their exact feelings?
How long can they continue?
Who is to know the yearnings of their soul?
The midnight tears, anxiety, loneliness,
and pain of miscarriages?
Who?