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This Poem was Submitted By: Paul R Lindenmeyer On Date: 2005-03-25 14:52:38 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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IN DEFENSE OF INNOCENTS

Without recourse starvation's penance is decided and mandated mercy voided without comment. Supreme indeed, void of compassion numb to justice, with obsequious omnipotent obsession. A shamed nation, wakes to Good Friday's forgiveness in rememberance of what? Redemption received and bestowed without merit. Crucified absence of conscience confirmed. Can remorse or resurrection redeem such refusal? Shared shame at sunrise will have to suffice...

Additional Notes:
The starvation sentence passed on this defenseless innocent is without merit, honor or compassion, and I am ashamed to be called a citizen of this nation on this Good Friday, 2005.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Joanne M Uppendahl On Date: 2005-04-03 14:37:56
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Paul: I've read this many times over, feeling its truth and compassion. Many words imply a state of imminent death as in "starvation/voided/void/numb" for example. Dying by withheld water and food seems as cruel a punishment as can be imagined. Something which is voided has been cancelled, nullified. "Void" can be a noun or verb, as in to empty or vacate, or hollow, empty. These words so powerfully evoke layers of meaning for this reader. Who marks another being as 'cancelled' or 'past expiration date' with such hubris? Other words refer to the attitude or stance which can allow such conscienceless acts toward another, such as "obsequious/obsession/refusal." Hardest-hitting lines for this reader: "Crucified absence of conscience confirmed." and "Shared shame at sunrise will have to suffice." There are several feelings following the reading of this poem: Grief for one no longer present, grief for the awareness that any of us may be considered expendable when we no longer can 'carry our own weight' in the market place, grief and shame for actions not taken personally. And yet our sorrow must energize us to move toward others who also hunger, in other places in the world as well as in our own neighborhoods and cities. To become more involved rather than allow ennui to overwhelm us. To consider the value of life, and the living of it, and what that means. I am grateful for the chance to comment here, and also give voice to some of my thoughts. Many thanks, once more. As always, Joanne

This Poem was Critiqued By: arnie s WACHMAN On Date: 2005-03-27 18:57:35
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.30435
Here here. I am not a Christian but to me what has been done is against the will of G-d. And as a Nurse I certainly cannot condone this action. It is disgusting. In rememberance of what? Who the hell knows? We'll find out at the end of days.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Dellena Rovito On Date: 2005-03-27 17:38:50
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.37500
Hi Paul, I'm as mad and ashamed as you. I've read where money played a huge factor as would be expected. Whats very interesting to me is the fact that for the past 10 years m. schivio has been living engged to another women and they have two children. So I think his control should be no more. Anyway you cut it you don't starve a person to death. I can see stopping a respirator/but not slowly starving someone. My friend Ed/roommate of 20yrs. got brain injured/damaged, but was 'there' [I know] quite often. But drs. said no.But I knew him so well, he communicated to me by his eyes, his facial expressions, his hand movements. [and he had 2 massive blood clots.] They tied him hand and foot/tubal feedings for a year. They then put him in a nursing home and they were starving him. Saying his medication upset his stomach so they cut his feeding to almost nothing. I straightened that out and he eventually he started eating through the mouth/walking/talking somewhat.The doctors called it a miracle.[he got better and better] But eventually he fell/through there neglect, [he got worse and worser] And just died in july. weighing
0 at 5' tall. Noone gave him a chance and my voice hadn't enough power to save him. I've yet to understand why his relatives cared less if he died. It becomes; someone trades their life to assist another. And if noone does/the needy lose. Excuse me for venting... Even killers put to death get more humane treatment. The determination in the shivao case could affect the actions in many cases to come. I'm so very pleased you cared enough to write this. It's exasperating when your hands are tied. As with our war and no relief in sight. Good Godly felt poem! Shared shame at sunrise will have to suffice... Dellena

This Poem was Critiqued By: Turner Lee Williams On Date: 2005-03-27 11:35:46
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.62500
Paul--For those who might just not know who or what your offering is about, I've taken the liberty of copying this from a news service to catch them up; "Who is Terri Schiavo? For seven years now, Michael Schiavo and the Schindlers--primarily, Terri's parents, Bob and Mary--have been locked in a grueling war, a war over money, over control, and, in the end, over Terri's future. Schiavo wants his wife to be allowed to die. That, he says, was her wish. The Schindlers want someone-- the government, the courts, anyone with any possible authority in this situation-- to restore the feeding tube that was removed, by court order, last Friday. They want their daughter, in whatever state she is, to live. The fight over her life--and death--is being played out, in this Easter week, as a uniquely American Passion play. Congress passed emergency legislation. The president signed it in the middle of the night, in his pajamas, after being awakened. There are picketers, prayer services, angry invective, impassioned ap- peals. The Vatican has weighed in. The Supreme Court has refused to do so." This poignant, gutwrenching, heartbreaking, and tear rendering poem, both quite accurately depicts this cruel/atrocious "extraordinary law passed by congress" and present yet another prime example of man's inhumanity to his fellow man (woman). Thanks for being as bards usually are: conscience of nations. TLW

This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2005-03-26 03:41:20
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.29730
Poet.......it is most difficult to respond to this in critique form but I want you to know I stopped by and read it as I have been following such event in the paper.......my heart breaks for this woman and her family and I pray knowing the Lord has held her in His loving arms all this time and He will continue to do so till He takes her home........There is no Greater Love then He Who Is and He died to set us all free.........God Bless for posting for the world to see and feel the emotionally set forth piece. Claire

This Poem was Critiqued By: Tony P Spicuglia On Date: 2005-03-25 17:14:25
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.58333
Paul, You say “The mandated starvation of this defenseless innocent is without merit, honor or compassion, and I am ashamed to be called a citizen of this nation this day.” And when the argument comes, how many have said a rod through the brain is acceptable to destroy a baby that will live? And when the time comes, how many of those who believe starving an innocent woman is acceptable, will scream for the rights of a despicable murderer, whose death will be far easier than those he raped, tortured and mutilated, whose last sight of this world was terror? Paul, we all may not agree on all issues, but your poem was as powerful as death is inevitable. I cannot but feel you have spoken the proper words, “Good Friday”, “resurrection”, “redemptions”, and “shame at sunrise”. Hearing God speak, “vengeance is mine”, does not absolve us all from defending the innocent, it only says that, barring a victory, God will speak last. I believe, you have written well of his despair, resurrection, and I have to wonder at those who can glory in the victory of the murder of an innocent. Thanks for sharing Paul, I appreciate you verse.

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