A Christmas Poem

Next Case:

Unwed mother, aged sixteen,
Recommended to us by court when
Reported missing by parents.
Was later found in the home of an aunt.
Family background is strict Jewish tradition,
Fundamentalist in nature,
Strong emphasis on guilt.
The subject is engaged to be married
To a local carpenter who,
Though all agree he’s not the father,
Still accepts the subject as his betrothed.
Her physical health is good,
But is exhibiting some mental instability.
She has consistently denied the reality of her situation
And, perhaps in repression of guilt feelings
Brought on by her religious background,
Continues to insist on her virginity.
Further, she retreats into a religious mysticism,
Claiming her condition is the result
Of some heavenly manifestation,
Designed to produce a god on Earth.
Her parents also support her in these delusions,
Making any hopes for successfully treating
Her in the home doubtful at best.

We recommend that the court commit her
To the care of an institution
Until such time as she may cope with reality.
The child will have to be aborted.
The mother is in no condition to give a baby
The love and care that it needs.
Also, the marriage must be postponed indefinitely.
We feel that the pressures of a working class
Marriage too great for anyone so young.
And her mental state makes the question
Of her raising the child alone unthinkable.
But not to worry. We are confident
With the proper environment,
And the benefits of enlightened influence,
We can start her back on the road to recovery.
She may not understand now,
And th process will be painful.
But someday, she will see
That it was all for her own good,