The Killing Of Terry - Without Mercy Poem by Herbert Nehrlich

I had a friend not a close friend but a young fellow who lived in the same street he was a bit younger, he had a brain tumour, an accident with a hockey ball sent him into a coma, for a decade he could not feed himself, after a decade he died he might as well been dead, his family used to play him country and western music hoping that would entice him out of the coma, a poem about a touchy subject, and very well done Warm regards allan

Allan, the brain consists of a lot of functions, cognitive they all are, you could say. Terry is not brain dead as she obviously recognises family and friends and is capable of smiling in pleasure. She is also not terminally ill any more than a baby is who cannot feed himself because he doesn't have the ability or the understanding. She is not dependent on machines. Those 'caring' for her have the power to kill her, once and for all you could say because she cannot defend herself. The only difference between that system and Josef Mengele is that Mengele would have done a few medical experiments first. H

An extremely powerful representation of this extremely delicate subject. Excellent indeed. Chrissie

Very well done, Herbert...very well stated...this is indeed the truth of it...it is so regrettable...it just...sometimes...does not make any sense... Lare

provocative poem written with full of humour. this haiku inspired by the poem: money mom tells son to keep some for the rainy days

I understand. If you looked into alexithymia you would see that they all seem to seek but do not find. H

i wasn't implying Terri got her just desserts, i was merely pointing out the irony. if anything, i hope this ordeal causes other young women (and men) who suffer from such disorders to consider their choices and seek healthier and more effective alternatives. Jake

Ironic yes, is she being punished now for her crimes? Those who judge her ought to read up on Alexithymia (defective emotional processing) , although I do not believe they would understand. H

what i find most ironic about all of this (and what seems to be clouded by the media) , is that she was bulemic and restricted herself to a strict liquid diet. this disorder led to the heart seizure that cutoff oxygen to her brain for more than 5 minutes. this, in turn, left her in a persistent vegetative state only to be nourished thru a strict liquid diet. Jake

Rich, the pragmatism is sometimes a front... No one knows what Terry experiences. How much perception she has, perhaps she lives in a fairyland of very primitive feelings. Her demeanour, as attested to by a specialist (who has not been called for further opinions0 is one that exudes happiness and not frowning. She is capable of a response and of recognition. Since we don't know her 'side' of the story we ought not presume that we can decide for her. Does she not have a right to her life? For those religious enough, can we let God decide? She is NOT suffering from what can be observed, except she would most likely be suffering now. Wait until the money angle comes to light. In any case it is homicide, permission granted by politicians, lawyers and doctors. When you think of the mathematical probability that 0.03 % of all cremations cremate people still alive you wonder about a few things. It is wrong for human beings to make a decision in this case. She requires basic hygiene and a feeding regimen. That is what babies require. Should we have the right to kill them as well? H