Home » Poems » Caren Krutsinger » Are You Planning To Kill Yourself

Are You Planning To Kill Yourself

Are you planning to kill yourself? Yes. When? As soon as I get home from school. How? My dad has a gun, and I know how to load it. Deep breath now. I try to look calm, at this sad determined 9-year-old. Mom takes him to a psychiatric hospital. They want to keep him two weeks. Dad has a fit. Mom is cowed by dad. He is back at school in three days. We got him through the 5th grade, okay, alive. This year is 6th grade for him. He is in a psychiatric hospital now. Slit his wrists last week. Deep sigh.

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Rhona Mcferran

Date: 9/15/2018 11:54:00 PM

Powerful poem. This reminds me of several people I've known, and it hurts so much... such a waste.

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 9/16/2018 6:27:00 AM

It is so sad. Suicide is something that hurts a family in so many ways, I cannot name them all.

Maureen Mcgreavy

Date: 9/15/2018 11:12:00 PM

Ooh ouch <3 hugs

Maureen Mcgreavy
Date: 9/16/2018 6:35:00 AM

That is gobsmacking. I have the upmost respect for your profession Caren. You are the 'village" in "it takes a village to raise a child". xomo

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 9/16/2018 6:30:00 AM

Some children of today say "I want to kill myself" as an immediate response when they are frustrated, bored, or just want a change. Part of my job is to let them know how seriously we take this. One of my favorite children with a huge smile on his face used it, because he knew his teacher would "let him come see me" if he did. Frightening really.

Junie Moon

Date: 9/15/2018 7:28:00 PM

So sad, so true, as to what’s happening to our kids today. The job of parents do do not change with generations. A parent MUST do Privide for, Protect from and to Prepare for the future. These are our jobs as parents, it don’t change just cause drugs are rampant.

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 9/15/2018 7:35:00 PM

Thank you for understanding Junie. I know this truth, and it is the saddest truth I know.