When

When did it become conceivable
To kill the conceived?
Little fingers, toes, eyes, nose—
Life destroyed and irretrievable.

When did collective conscience
Accept the unconscionable,
Fighting tooth and nail for the right to kill,
And deem it beyond remonstrance?

When did myriad Christians
act so unlike our Christ,
saying nothing to stave conflict,
granting murder full permission?

When with one heart we demonstrate
Our outrage at acts demonic,
And cry in protest and fight for life,
Is it possible we’ll be too late?

By Natalie Hoefer

(Natalie Hoefer is a member of St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis and is a reporter for The Criterion.) †

The Criterion