To Ashley from Ashley

Physical pain
Internal hurt, sadness, and despair
A longing for something genuine
Feelings that have never been there

The slow steady beat of a heart
The hesitant breath of air
A teardrop falling
A silent prayer

Seemingly happy,
yet resentful and lost
Heartbroken, rejected,
Paying the ultimate cost

She took her own life,
It was hard to understand
She wanted to fit in,
No one reached out a hand

In a letter she wrote
"I just needed to rest
My body, my mind,
Couldn't take much more stress.

It wasn't your fault,
which I can't deny
You were the only person,
who stayed by my side"

As her mother read it,
she looked surprised
She stood there in shock,
tears falling from her eyes.

She fell to her knees and couldn't believe
Her daughter addressed the letter
"Dear Ashley"