Opt In Or Opt Out Poem by D Loveday Morris

Opt In Or Opt Out?

You never consider it, until the hit is real
The decision to donate an organ and how it feels
Will you opt in or opt out;
When you are busy going about?

While you are going about it's easy to forget
The many people who suffer and those who wept
Like the ones who need a kidney or heart transplant
Many could be helped if we all played a part

But sometimes the decision isn't that straight forward
As there are religious and other ethical considerations impacting the way forward
Some want to go back to the earth as they came
It's a serious decision for thought
just the same

But life doesn't always wait until thoughts are clear
And then suddenly you are here
Lying on a bed, diagnosed as brain is dead
Or your heart has stopped beating and you're dead despite all interventions lead

For some, it's a difficult decision to make at that time
So it helps to give it a thought when things are fine
Perhaps a good place to start
Is to think what it could mean to get a new heart

To opt in or opt out isa choice
If you opt in you could save a life
To that person who is struggling to breathe
The gift of an organ donated might be all they need

D. Loveday Morris