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This poem was written after viewing on Television, a True Life Story about a meeting between the grateful recipient of a healthy liver and the parents of the Donor - their recently deceased son.
THE RECIPIENT - V Wallace 11th June 2006
My palms are sweaty, I feel quite faint and my legs are trembling so.
I wonder if maybe I should have come. Did I really need to know?
Perhaps I should have left well alone, yet when I opened that letter wild horses would not hold me back.
Pure instinct helped me know better.
Pushing aside, the rusty, iron-gate, my heart is beginning to pound
The blood is pumping. Im feeling quite faint. Who made that plaintiff sound?
Pausing a second, my hand held aloft - Oh no, it cannot be done!
Expecting what? Reacting how ? Will I be their own Prodigal Son?
Tentatively, I tap on the door, I hear an approaching shuffle
Should I turn and run? No take a hold! in a barely audible muffle.
The key is turning in the lock its grating assaults the air
The door is slowly held ajar Who would that be there?
**Its Robert Duane I hear myself say. I take a mighty breath
You wrote me just the other day, regarding your only sons death!
Dad hes here, hes here I hear the cry. The door is opened wide.
Come in, come in, come in my boy. Bring yourself inside!
Welcoming arms encircle me as Im gathered to the breast
of a greying lady overjoyed at the sight of me --- her guest.
And I feel my right hand being pumped by a wiry, wrinkled man.
Oh, we cant say in simple words, how youve helped us with our plan.
Did I hear them right? Theyre thanking ME, for the gift they have bestowed?
I have a second chance at life and theyre hinting its me whos owed.
If these special people had not agreed, to donate their only sons liver.
Id not be standing here today - The very thought makes me shiver.
Looking about this simple room - each wall a tribute and shrine
to a tiny boy with his first cricket bat, Matchbox cars all in a line
and a surfboard, still waxed and ready to go - a man at his graduation
I realise then (for the very first time) their pain, in this strange situation.
Transplant Australia is supporting the establishment of a Foundation to raise money for the late V8 Supercar driver Ashley Cooper's partner Casey and their young children Ella and Bailey.
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Click here to donate to the Transplant Australia Trust - Ashley Cooper Foundation.
Key members of the National Clinical Taskforce into Organ and Tissue Donation presented their final report to the new Labor Government on Thursday, February 14.
Transplant Australia has released the 2007 Annual Report.
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