NEW POEM: After-effects

"After-effects" has been written to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day 2023. It speaks, simplistically, of the roads friends and families have to navigate. This poem is not about any indivudal in particular but is dedicated to anyone contemplating ending their life, to those who support them and to those 'left behind'. I would like to also dedicate this poem to the memory of a friend, Michelle, who is missed by many and thought of constantly.

If you need support, reach out to the Samaritans for help. https://www.samaritans.org/support-us/campaign/world-suicide-prevention-day

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After-effects

A Poem by Simon Clark

Written to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day, 10th September 2023

So many questions left unanswered

That can never be answered

Still I search.

The last words we spoke, were they gentle?

Were they soft, kind and gentle?

Filled with love?

So many doubts about the reasons

I didn’t see the reason

Still I search.

The last thing you said was you were tired

I said, “go rest, if you’re tired”

Pain, hurt, love.

© Simon Clark