Life can seem like that at times
That we are going no where.
That day to day it’s a case of the doldrums.
We can float through life with purpose
Direction and focus
Or we meander aimlessly
From one support to another
Where life is meaningless
And the alternative does become
A way to rid ourselves of the pain we feel
And so often the purposelessness
That life has become.
Its not always our fault
The circumstances of a person’s life
So often comes into play.
It is never for us to judge another’s actions.
A wise man once said to me
We cannot know what was happening
In a person’s mind in the moments before
They made that fatal choice.
I have known students I taught
Who took their own lives
And on every occasion
I recalled them as kids sitting in my classroom.
They were innocent, intelligent,
Had unknown potential
Which amounted to nothing years later
When they stepped into eternity.
September 10 worldwide is World Suicide Prevention Day
Below is the number for folk in the USA to go to for help.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255
In Australia: http://suicidepreventionaust.org/
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2015/09/08/photo-challenge-77-golden-hour-september-8-2015/
Morpethroad 
I’ve known people who have committed suicide. It’s so, so sad no matter the circumstances. The people left behind are given a life sentence of wondering “why?”
Yes Lyn, it is so hard for those left behind to comprehend.
This is heart-breaking Michael. I have come close myself but boy am I am glad I did not succeed.
Thanks Yves, well I for one am glad you didn’t succeed. Thanks as always for stopping by and sharing your comment with me.
It is always a pleasure
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You live in Australia, I live in the US, and suicide has touched us both. That tells us that feelings of hopelessness and despair really are worldwide. Thank you so much for bringing awareness to this issue and Suicide Awareness Day + Suicide Prevention Month (September). I hope people (including myself) can remember, when they feel like giving up, the reason why they’ve held on for so long. We all have a purpose, even if it takes a lifetime to figure it out. Thank you, Michael.
Thanks Mandy, your comment is much appreciated and yes recognising our purpose in life and traveling that journey can take us a lifetime.
You are right Mandy those feelings are universal no matter where you live, no matter your circumstance, your feelings of loss and missing their presence in your day can be overwhelming. Those moments of desperation of wanting to reach out to them can be so fraught with your own kind of wretchedness that you sometimes wonder if you can stand it a day longer.
I have been blessed from that particular pain.. there is rarely a good reason to cross the border, and very few really wants to do it.. I have talked a friend out of these thoughts once.. so happy I did.
I bet you are glad Bjorn. Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for writing this. I wish the world understood that depression is an illness as surely as cancer or diabetes. Treatment can really change things. I’ve lost loved ones to suicide. It’s heartbreaking. Re blogging.
Thank you so much, for visiting and your comment, I have a friend who is blogging this month on suicide awareness and I think you may follow her blog anyway, but thanks for the reblog I think its such a terrible thing in that it impacts so much on survivors as well as leaves us so often dumbfounded as to why.
Reblogged this on Nutsrok and commented:
Reblogged on Nutsrok. Please reach out for help or to help another.
Thank you for this beautifully compassionate write, Michael. God has always dragged me back from my attempts…which gives added meaning to the label “failure”. Depression is a real and hideous disease, made worse by the stigma attached to it. I would trade it for any condition viewed as more “legitimate”. I won’t belabor the unkind responses I’ve had tossed at me–some from professionals who should know better. To have to hide it, and constantly reassure others that I’m “fine” is exhausting….and increases the isolation. Maybe that’s part of why I change blogs frequently. Anyway, I appreciate your words. Maybe Sept 10 can be a day of celebration, rather than grieving–we can all hope and pray.
Thank you Val I appreciate you stopping by, I was thinking your use of failure might be better written as ‘ not my time’.
Well you have to consider the mindset–“not my time” connotes a hopeful frame of reference; but someone who badly wants to exit stage right, is feeling like a failure already–so surviving only confirms their feeling that they’re one giant failure and f–k up.
I take your point but your faith should argue that God decides no matter how urgent you think the matter is……..but wait until you see tomorrow’s sunrise I am sure it will come with some hope….
And now you know why I rarely begin the day till WAY Past sunrise! Today, “morning” began at 3pm–less hours to wrangle with.
I see….no point in my suggesting you should a bed by now.
Nope, I have a few more hours before I’ll be ready!
Further to my previous comment I draw your attention to this blog post I saw this week:
https://healingbeyondsurvival.wordpress.com/2015/09/04/suicide-awareness-and-education-is-critical/
Ohhh, thanks, Michael–I’ll have a look at that next!!
Beautiful, compassionate piece of writing, Michael. Reminded me immediately of the phrase; ‘Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind always’
It’s very easy to be on the outside, looking in and to sit in judgement. I’m guilty of this myself, in many things.
Thanks for sharing.
ML
xx
Thanks so much Lou. Your is a lovely comment and I agree with you that so often we don’t know what is going on inside some one else’s head. Have a good day.
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Powerful. It’s important to reach out. Listen, really listen. Be there… Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you so much for reading and your comment. This week is a very tough time for so many.
This poem, well written in its straightforward simplicity leaves me with a empty feeling of sadness … what a shattering loss.
Such times are Georgia, thanks for stopping by.
Of course, you’re right about that …