Regarding those in the state Legislature who tried to introduce a bill to allow suicide via self or doctoral help as in Oregon: Have they ever heard of the Fifth Commandment of God — Thou shalt not kill? In suicide, one is, literally, casting oneself into hell for committing a mortal sin prior to death!
While living in California, I had an acquaintance who tried to commit suicide but failed. When he informed me of this, I wrote a poem and sent it to him. He responded by requesting permission to pass it along to his other friends, to which I agreed.
In February 2008, it was published in a book The Inquisition (The Voice of Nevada Poets) by Ferris Jones.
The poem is titled to my friend and I would like to share it with those in the Legislature, who, evidently, don’t have a clue of what they are subjecting themselves to, and the rest of us, if it were to become law.
For Don
He never gives one any more
Than that which one can bear.
And with each trial, He sends His grace
To hold us through the fare.
He wants to fashion us a joy
Of everlasting touch.
He uses trials to steele us
Cost of this joy not much
If you compare it to the Cross
Upon which Jesus died.
Think! A God became a man
And all our tears He cried!
So when we have no more desire
To fight the wars of life
And feel the battle is not worth
All this strain and strife,
Remember, all our tribulations
That numb us with their rod
Fall like severed petals
Before the smile of God!
Mary Santomauro
Stagecoach
