Caren Krutsinger Poet Free verse

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.

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Rhona Mcferran September 15, 2018 at 11:54 PM Powerful poem. This reminds me of several people I've known, and it hurts so much... such a waste. Caren Krutsinger September 16, 2018 at 6:27 AM It is so sad. Suicide is something that hurts a family in so many ways, I cannot name them all.

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart September 15, 2018 at 11:12 PM Ooh ouch <3 hugs Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart September 16, 2018 at 6:35 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 September 16, 2018 at 6:30 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 September 15, 2018 at 7:28 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 September 15, 2018 at 7:35 PM Thank you for understanding Junie. I know this truth, and it is the saddest truth I know.