July 19, 2020 - November 10, 2022

We’ll call him John

Since we don’t know the name he’ll never be given

John lies aside

Silent

Perfect, almost

His mother no longer carries him

His father does not hold him

The doctor and nurses are turned aside

Called to other concerns

Their next patient

Their next challenge

Their next death

For John, you see, is dead

He lies ignored and unrated

On a cold metal table

Or a cold plastic bin

Destined for gruesome metal bin

Unwanted

Undignified

That John bears the image of God

Disregarded by all in that cold, empty room

Disregarded by all, but God

Who at this moment welcomes John home

Though prematurely

As He would welcome John’s parents

Should they ever come