Maria

Maria has asthma
And a heart condition
And one of Maria's lungs
Is missing

Maria used to smoke
Two packs of cigarettes a day
And this is what
The people who knew her
Used to say
"Maria is so lost
What has caused her
To sink so low?"

And Maria would say
"Well, you know
Where your cheap, shallow
Sentiments can go!"

But now Maria
Has landed in a hospital bed
And a new religion
Has settled in her head

She sits framed behind
A faithful smile
She writes letters to shut-ins
And a parentless child

And in her letters
She says
"Don't lose hope my friend
The world is wonderful
And you'll know that in the end"

Then Maria sits back
And pushes her button
To summon the nurse
She says
"Nurse, I think I may be dying
Or even worse"

And the nurse says
"Maria, what could be worse?"

And Maria says
"Someday, I will know
But I think I have to die first"