Is it right to kill someone even though they still haven't been brought into the world? When does life commence? Is it when you are born? Or is it when you have your first heart beat? The girl's parents, who claim they are religious, wouldn't even think about having an abortion as it's against Catholic beliefs, yet, they want to kill their child (even though the doctor's state she is alive and are reluctant to switch off the life support machines "over my dead body")
To them, the notion of "dying with dignity" is more important than the moral and ethical stance of the Catholic faith. Despite the arguments raised by the medical and legal professions the parents seem willing to turn their back on their role of nurturing and caring for their child because they believe there is no dignity in her current state. However the term "dying with dignity" is a euphemism for killing her. .
The poet uses rhetorical questions like "Little grasshopper, are you alive?" This gives you the inkling of a compassionate poet who is tying to make the poem more personal. The poet then explains the girl's movements, "She squeaks or gasps or tries to speak." At first you think that the girl is attempting to answer the question, but she is not. Her "response" is just a reflection of her physical state; "her eyes rolled madly under the light" is probably just an automatic and natural response to stimulus. In addition to the description of her physical state we are also given an unusual collection of words. "Her brain tested says not dead, tested says not dead. Wait." This is of great significance as it gives you the idea of the pattern produced by.
Heart monitors that check for a patient's vital signs. The repeating words, and the specific way they are placed, give you the notion of a very weak and fading pulse.
In particular the poem emphasises the parents religious side and uses this against them. "Have examined their consciences and announced on TV.