Consequence.

[Fay Slimm]

Depth of contempt followed
tears of fear.
Attempted confession brought
ill-favour.
Belly now swollen with
unmarried seed
Received no acceptance from
judgement's fate.

She who defied convention
would suffer.
Consequence knew of no
other judgement.
Freely-led girls deserved
local shunning.
Responsible ears could not
sin cover.

Yet mercy knew stones thrown
at adultery
Bounced back upon those who
ignored love.

[Nightmute]

...and though we might be one of those who do not pronounce judgment upon the one who, out of wedlock, finds herself in such a delicate situation, still she has much to concern herself with now that she must think of the one she carries within herself, Fay. Love is love, however, and though we might not condone such actions, we should still not condemn her out of hand, to be sure, Ma'am. As you so wisely mention, none of us are fit to pass judgment...none of us has the right to take within our hands a stone to cast upon her, for sure. A deftly written and touching verse, Fay.

[Cindy]

Very moving poem.

[Stella]

It is the child that suffers too, who is innocent.

We are, as Richard says none of us fit to pass judgement,and we do not know the circumstances .
The deed is done and found out, but often those that throw stones have bigger sins to hide and karma will find them out.

Beautifully expressed feelings here Fay, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"

[stevenstirk]

A powerfully good write Fay. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone".
I doubt then, that any would ever be cast.