The Poet's Corner...

CHRIS

Don't do it, Chris.
Not today
not while the sun is shining
and spring is in the air.

Think about it, Chris.
Sleep on it
wake up tomorrow and watch
the sun climb the eastern sky.

One more day, Chris.
Tough it out
see the buds burst open
on the trees that line the street.

Then one more day, Chris.
Stay the course
until the days become weeks
and months turn into years.

Easy to say, Chris.
Suck it up
and all the other useless cliches
we use to fake the courage we do not feel.

Too late now, Chris.
Decision's made
executed before we knew it
sirens wailing, grim-faced cops at your door.

Where were we, Chris?
With helping hands
rather than empty words
when you needed us the most?

Here we are, Chris.
A day late
blaming God for being asleep on the job
when we're the ones who saw but did not act.

Today's lesson: Chris was our neighbor, just across the street.  He took his own life on April 4.  He was only seventeen.  If you see a young person struggling - isolated, lonely, unhappy - reach out a hand, throw an arm around his shoulders, wrap her in a bear hug.  And never let go.  Never ever let go.
_____