The notice arrived electronically
The one she’d been looking to arrive
She drew in her breath and prayed
Gratitude for being alive.
She was now among the selected
The day of appointment soon came
They explained everything matter-of-fact
All the reasons attributed to her name.
Bottom line there was no reason
For efforts to keep her alive
No doctor’s, hospitals or medicine
No efforts to help her survive.
Her choice was in how her life ended
Would she like assistance or go on alone?
Were her arrangements all in order
Did her family want her at home?
She’d expected this conversation
Known it was going to be
Still there were those who didn’t believe
This happening they couldn’t see.
Not in America they scoffed
Only for the worst of worst cases maybe
But never just because one was disabled
Over reaction they smiled sympathy.
But now she was selected
Would that help them see they were wrong?
Or would it take them being
Told they needed to be gone?
For sitting in a bubble of denial
Being blinded by special reprieves
Is no excuse for willingly allowing
To be made to die with dignity.
               d.f.a.v. 8/23/13

I realize this poem can be uncomfortable to read, the subject matter easier to dismiss than accept, but it is reality.  Either Americans step up now or these famous words of Martin Niemoller, a personal prisoner of Adolf Hitler during WWII will be words for us:

“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out–
because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out–
because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out–
because I was not a Jew.
And then they came for me–
and there was no one to speak for me.”

Please consider the consequences of where we are headed, I speak for one of those sure to be” selected”,
–Faye