Dysfunctional Heart

In the University of Michigan hospital
a young woman's life in the balance.
The bottle of pills she swallowed
are not the reason.

It is the depression and inner pain
that haunt her.

In her tender years,
she's seen her grandfather's suicide,
her mother's drunken states,
and her step-father's rejection.

She no longer thinks her life
is worth the trouble.

She doesn't believe in God,
has no reason to.
Has anyone given her one?

She thinks her life is crap.

Addiction and overdose
may be a maladjusted
way to ease the pain,
but wanting to ease it is
an all rather logical reaction.

Has God abandoned her?

For I wonder
if God even tries to change
the heart of indifference
and cruelty,
the dysfunctional heart?

Ours, society's
not hers,
which for compassionate
medical care
beats on life support
this day.



September 2009