Essence of Humanity

by Nicole M. - Gemini

Plato was onto something
  everything has it's own function
And our's is to be
 the best possible humans 
we can be

So let's think about this
   who's not measuring up?

Mentally retarded individuals
  that can't communicate
Mass murderers like Manson
  with no sign of remorse
There's some degree
  of stunted humanity

Now if I had kept to 
  the vial criminals
I would receive no grief
But alas
  go after another taboo
and state the opinion
  some innocent individuals
aren't meeting
  their human potential.

Reason for writing:

    Freshman Sociology class...talking about how language is a big part of being human, and in spite of some freshmans' arguement against that comment, I think the prof was right, as harsh as it seems when you talk about severely mentally challenged individuals.  Let me say this now...I'm not saying there any less human, it's just languang is a big part of our developing as a ideal human.  Case in point...in the 40's, there were two baby girls born out of wedlock, and since such a thing was taboo, they were shut off from society, and had no meaningful human contact.  At age four when they were found, they had the mental capacity of a newborn.  One was placed in a home for mentally challenged kids, and died at the age of ten with the mental capacity of a two year old.  The other was placed in a normal family household, and developed normally.  think about it...    

Birth sign: Gemini
Date created: 2002-09-21 23:31:16
Last updated: 2021-03-03 14:46:38
Poem ID: 70123

You need to log in to edit this poem if it is yours.

View more poems by Nicole M..