I never knew you until now.

by Poet on the Piano   Dec 12, 2018


Nameless, touched
only by depression’s chill,
27 degrees Fahrenheit
shocked the spirit out of you;
the St. Joseph River
swallowed your chaos
without regret,
without properly chewing.

A stranger jumped in after,
as everyone prayed for
a life you can’t embrace.
What is there to breathe
when the brain
purposefully
withholds oxygen,
withholds dignity?

You now must fight
relentlessly
to be heard over
roaring thoughts
that drown out
your tremulous heartbeat;
everything has changed.

-

Prefer for this not to be nominated.
Wrote this for the elegy contest but this actually happened a few weeks ago, down the road from where I work by the University I went to for two years. I struggled with suicidal thoughts when I attended this university, and I dealt with my first attempt but managed to finish my semester. I can't count how many times I saw that bridge every day going to class and my heart breaks for this woman because I know how emotional it is. Not only surviving an attempt, but wondering how to proceed from there.

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Latest Comments

  • 5 years ago

    by Darren

    judges comment
    Maryanne asked for this not to be nominated, yet it was nominated. I'm pleased it was. This resonated with me tonight. To be honest I have awarded this 10 points more for the footnote than the poem. The poem is excellent, but the footnote swung it for me. As a site I think more of us should add some thoughts to our work. I wouldn't have grapsed the full intensity of this piece without the explanation. The poem is haunting, it's not an easy read and is very brave. It gives hope to those that have been through or currently dealing with similar issues. This would have been my 7 but the footnote took the extra 3 points. (10 points)

  • 5 years ago

    by Milly Hayward

    An emotional and brave piece. Its also a very important one. Maybe you should reconsider the nomination because people need to be made more aware that such things happen and the toll that it takes. Thank you for sharing. Sending you a huge hug. Milly x

  • 5 years ago

    by D.

    A wonderfully touching and poignant poem, MA. Writing about a feeling/experience that more people know about, and have lived through, is difficult. Bridges hold a special metaphor in many ways, and I found myself feeling rather heavy whilst reading this. An accomplished poem that is really worthy of praise.

  • 5 years ago

    by Jamie

    I would have nominated. I know this pain all too well. Not the bridge part per se but the suicidal undertones. The feelings are all too real.

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