There's never been a wronger rite,
Than the snuffing out of one's own light.
Romanticized it's been by some,
Those left behind feel naught but numb.
Yet still we wonder why they do,
This act foreign to me and you.
Chemical imbalance? Sorrow deep?
Loss of job? Loss of sleep?
The answer sure we'll never know,
For they're no longer here, and so,
We simply say goodbye.
And cry.
Author notes
There's been a rash of suicides in my neck of the woods lately... one, the daughter of a client's friend... another, the Husband of a co-worker's friend. Plus, one of my own nephew's killed himself when he was 14, and I myself have thought of suicide more than once. [but not lately]
But this poem isn't for them, it's for us, the living... for us, the survivors... for us, those left behind.
Comments
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Very good. This is a thought provoking piece. A rule allowing doctor assisted suicide was passed in the Netherlands several years back. Initially it was for people in pain and who also had a terminal illness. This has since been expanded to include people who are depressed. Excellent job.
Mike
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This is very powerful. Often it is hard to infuse a rhyming poem with as much emotion as a non-rhyming one, but I think you did a very good job here. Suicide is an often written about topic but I like how you were able to capture the confusion and distress of someone left behind. I am so sorry about the death of your nephew, it is truly tragic, and I can honestly say that I have been on both sides of suicide- as the one considering it and the one left behind. Overall, a very powerful piece. Well done.
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Thank you for your kind comment. Not all my work is so morose or introspective, just a few like this one. Hope you can find time to read some of my happier work.
Jim
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People kill themselves when they realize that there is no other way out of their pain. When you become depressed the depression seems to last forever and when something lasts for so long you give up hope... then living is all but meaningful
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