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Pondering the Sad and Fateful Decision

Pondering The Sad And Fateful Decision

there he sat
his brain peddling along
heart fluttering in space
and that bright summer sky kissing his face
mind recalling trouble
her face appears
she that ripped his flesh and smashed his world
there is no reprieve
certainly is no hope
he ponders the unthinkable
a sharp knife in his right hand
birds fly and settle in the sycamore tree...

such vibrating colors and splendid tunes
his heart started growing lighter
music soothes the wounded beast
yes, today he would walk
back into this dark world
fight the dreaded beast
to rise in morn and smile
eat a fine breakfast
maybe find a new job
why not he mused
is my life ready for joy
yes it tis
brain fired up and
heart grown lighter
then suddenly he saw
her face and darkness return
he sits and sharpens that knife
after all he thought
what the hell is life.....

after all
what the hell is living
but a black curse
a lonely death
he remembers
his knife
sharpens its
long blade
and muses death
would it be
so bad
pain would stop
sleep would fall
and
his heart
stop crying....

again his brain
thought
what is living
but a curse
a curse he endures
as she went away
and now so will he...

Robert J. Lindley, free verse
9-15-2023


Note: 
This poem is dedicated to my very good friend who
in the summer of 1976 took his own life....

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Besma Riabi Dziri

Date: 9/15/2023 7:22:00 AM

When we lose the inner harmony.. and Life reaches the harshest of seasons.. when we no longer have the bonds that give shpe and meaning to our Life.. when we are emptied of Light, Hope and Faith nothing will make sense! We plunge into caves of darkness and we cease to be.. Dear Robert you have displayed in the beauty of your amazing poetry such states of human nature in life.. So heartfelt ! So carved a gem! Congratulations on your POTD honour ! A well deserved recognition ! God bless you.

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/15/2023 3:05:00 PM

Thank you, my very good friend. Yes, and one would be shocked if they knew how many at some point in their lives go through such and ordeal. Most manage to come out of that darkness but some do not! That is one of the sorrows inherent in this dark and evil world. God bless you.

Anitha Jayasankar

Date: 9/14/2023 1:41:00 AM

Hi Robert, this is such a sad situation. Had there been someone for him to reach out, this could have been avoided...you have described the emotions and fluctuations of mood he suffered during his last moment, so well... Let's hope and pray such a distress do not happen to our loved ones and let's be there for them who may be experiencing such mental agony due to heartbreak. Congratulations on your potd. God bless... ~ Ani

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:50:00 AM

Thank you, my friend. Yes we all should pray that such tragedy should not befall us nor our beloved ones. God bless you..

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 9/13/2023 10:46:00 PM

My congratulations on your POTD.

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:49:00 AM

Thank you, my friend. I put my heart into inking this one. I am truly honored that it got the award of POTD. God bless you.

Fire Bird

Date: 9/13/2023 9:03:00 PM

Hi Robert, I'm sorry to hear/read that someone you loved was taken from you, congratulations on the Poem of the day. - Phoenix :

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:47:00 AM

Thank you, my friend. I was indeed quite shocked to see I had the POTD! God bless you.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 9/13/2023 7:07:00 PM

Very sad, Robert. Hard to see hope when the one you love with all fervor is taken. Congratulations on POTD!

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:46:00 AM

Thank you, my friend. We were very young and that tragedy hit us all very hard. But we survived. God bless you.

Brandy Nicole

Date: 9/13/2023 6:32:00 PM

Dear Robert, I'm so sorry for your loss. There's so many emotions and questions within. My heart has a hard time understanding this scenario. Life is worth the living, because we are precious to God. Your thoughts caress softly around me. Congratulations my dear friend, on Poem of the Day. Many wonderful blessings to you. Hugs, Brandy

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:45:00 AM

Thank you, my good friend. So true, if he had God in his life maybe it would have not happened. God bless you.

Jan Allison

Date: 9/13/2023 3:25:00 PM

such a heartfelt piece Robert, many congrats on POTD:-) hugs Jan xx

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:44:00 AM

Thank you, my good friend. He and I were very close friends. So it hit me much harder. He lied to me , saying that he was well. And I went away for a week. He did just 3 days after I left. God bless you.

Sotto Poet

Date: 9/13/2023 12:54:00 PM

A somber and poignant piece on the departure of your friend, Congratulations on being honored with the POTD honor.

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:42:00 AM

Thank you, my good friend. A real tragedy but we survived it. Much as we did those killed in car wrecks. God bless you.

Jim Slaughter

Date: 9/13/2023 11:53:00 AM

I've never had to experience losing a friend...or loved one...this way. I'm sorry for anyone who does. A very lovely and heartfelt tribute, Robert. And congrats on POTD, as well.

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:40:00 AM

Thank you, my friend. Yes, it was indeed a very tragic event in our very young lives. One we never understood. God bless you.

Susan Lawrence

Date: 9/13/2023 10:29:00 AM

You enveloped me in the journey you painted with your words dear Robert. Sad...intense..poignant and final. What else can be said when complete darkness comes ? It is a sad day when one is at that kind of low and is not able to reach out to others. so sorry for your loss. Congratulations on your POTD. Blessing, Susan :)

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:38:00 AM

Thank you, my good friend. He lied to me as well, saying he was completely over her and that he was ok...God bless you.

Heidi Sands

Date: 9/13/2023 8:10:00 AM

Congratulations for POTD. Powerful poem. Well written :)

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:37:00 AM

Thank you, my friend. It was indeed a very sad learning experience for me. The first one, but not the last. God bless you.

Akkina Downing

Date: 9/13/2023 7:51:00 AM

This just breaks my heart. I’m so sorry for your loss, Robert. Although he’s gone physically, your love and friendship remain strong in your heart… Congratulations on POTD dear friend. Hugs ~

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:36:00 AM

Thank you, my friend. Yes, so tragic and we that remained thought why did he say he was alright. God bless you,

Joseph May

Date: 9/13/2023 7:02:00 AM

A sad and moving write on the loss of your friend, Congrats on POTD

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:34:00 AM

Thank you, my friend . Yes it was indeed a sorrowful time in my youth. God bless you.

Bill Baker

Date: 9/13/2023 6:48:00 AM

Sorry for your loss, Robert. A tragic way to deal with reality. When a person faces this kind of grief and loss, bad can look good for the mind is not thinking right. As long as a person stays alive, the possibility of healing and hope are there. Well written and deserving of the POTD honor, my dear friend. Congratulations! I'm putting this one on my FAV's list as a reminder to be aware of those that may need empathy and kindness in their life. Enjoy your day of recognition. Bill

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:34:00 AM

Thank you, my good friend. And a very special thanks for the fav, too. Sad that those that saw did not do anything to help him. I remembered hat but he hid it so well.

Vijay Pandit

Date: 9/13/2023 5:34:00 AM

Back with BIG congrats on POTD, my friend. Enjoy your special day today, Robert.

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:30:00 AM

Thank you, my friend. I was so shocked to find this new creation is honored as POTD! God bless you.

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 9/13/2023 5:30:00 AM

Very dark and very beautiful in its way. Sorry for your loss my friend. Congratulations on POTD Robert! :)

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:29:00 AM

Thank you, my friend. It was very bad back then. Even recalling it to ink down now gave its sad memories. God bless you.

Tom Woody

Date: 9/13/2023 5:30:00 AM

Having a relative who has tried several times I can identify with this. Sorry for your loss and you brought out the confusing spectrum of thought process very well here for this worthy potd

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:28:00 AM

Thank you, my friend. I know that you know traumatic such can be. I pray that your relative is ok now. God bless you.

Tania Kitchin

Date: 9/13/2023 5:29:00 AM

Robert, a sad and heartfelt tribute poem, congratulations on POTD!

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:26:00 AM

Thank you, my friend. It was indeed a heartfelt piece to recall and compose. God bless you.

R J. Elless

Date: 9/13/2023 5:15:00 AM

Robert, a heartfelt poem. There are worse things than death. Congratulations on Your POTD. Keep Rolling.

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:25:00 AM

Thank you, my friend. So true we are unique beings upon this spinning blue planet. God bless you...

Lin Lane

Date: 9/13/2023 5:12:00 AM

I know your memory of him taking his own life was difficult for you to write, Robert. Heartache breeds depression in those who cannot bear to have lost a loved one. Congratulations on your sorrow-filled lines having been chosen as poem of the day.

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:23:00 AM

Thank you, my good friend. Yes, it was not like my other writes. Even from so long ago, those memories hold a very sad power. God bless you...

Mike Gentile

Date: 9/13/2023 5:09:00 AM

What a powerful and very moving write Robert! Congratulations on your POTD honors!!

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:21:00 AM

Thank you, my friend. That tragic death happened long ago. My composing this poem brought back some of the memories. God bless you..

Silent One

Date: 9/13/2023 4:30:00 AM

Congrats on POTD my friend.

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:20:00 AM

Thank you, my good friend.. This was my dedication to my very good friend. May he rest in peace. God bless you..

Unseeking Seeker

Date: 9/13/2023 3:12:00 AM

Dark and highly unfortunate. Suicide is the worst step anyone can take. Very sad. If we knew the spiritual consequences of suicide, rejecting the gift of life, this extreme step would never be contemplated. All it needs is a good friend to hold the hand at such a time. Powerful poem, Robert ~ warmest congratulations on POTD

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:17:00 AM

Thank you, my friend. Yes, it is indeed so tragic. And we left living simply cannot see why it was done. God bless you.

Charles Messina

Date: 9/13/2023 3:09:00 AM

So sad, Robert. Very sorry for the loss of your friend. I too lost two very close friends to suicide. A gunshot to the head sent them both to heaven. Great write, dear friend. Congratulations on POTD! Charlie

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:15:00 AM

Thank you, very much, my friend. So very sad that you experienced that not once but twice! I know that was so truly awful. God bless you.

Christina Bowring

Date: 9/13/2023 2:45:00 AM

Robert my dear friend I am so happy that I can congratulate you today with POTD honour.So well deserved for this very touching tribute to your poor friend all those years ago. Heartbreakingly sad. That last stanza is really powerful. Enjoy your celebratory day. You deserve it. :)

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/14/2023 11:12:00 AM

Thank you much my good friend. I had not at all expected this POTD award with this new creation. Yes, at that time it shocked me like nothing else. God bless you.