“Terminally ill”

is it a term or a state

in which a person can exist — ending

without end

or is it a statement about

the state of our government?

 

dying but not dead yet

in this hospital bed there is no bed rest

days of waiting can’t change the facts

can’t take back what’s turning me

outside from the inside out

besides,

suffering is not something you can diagnose

I’d rather die from overdose than remain in this comatose

euthanasia and murder are not synonymous and

when I pull the plug I am autonomous

yet

in the eyes of the law I become anonymous

people hear “death” and perspective is lost

people fear death and they pay the cost

of time, — but not their own; mine.

 

and is that not a choice I get?

when my whole life has been mine to live

as I choose and when did I lose

the right to die by my own terms?

death is just a part of life and

if I’m correct, I have a right to life

— my life, and the liberty to do with that life what I please

 

so please,

tell me I can say goodbye

with lungs capable of speaking and eyes

undimmed by infringement in disguise

let me leave these pains in peace

rather than remain in slowly combusting pieces,

soon to be remains in these plain sheets

it is my life, not their law

it is my right, not their clause

when the choice is mine, it shouldn’t be protested

for someone to aid me in what I’ve requested