Paul Bell Poet Free verse

In The Waiting Room

Let me introduce myself
My name is suicide
I live in the shadows
Just at the back of your mind
You’ll probably never meet me
Sometimes I'm on posters
Usually in your doctor’s waiting room
You may glance at me
Put me to the back of your mind
That continuous cough
Your main concern today
Sure you’ll get better soon
Now we come to the other guy
I’m at the forefront now
Doesn’t seem to be any alternatives
No introduction needed
No explanation required
Sometimes we have a trial run
Just to see
But really, our mind is made up
The poster stares right at him
Taunting, asking what he’s thinking
What is he thinking
The same thoughts as yesterday
The day before yesterday
Today
Tomorrow
The cough would have responded to antibiotics
But it was never really about the cough.

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Connie Hopper January 11, 2025 at 11:29 PM The waiting room is a very deep poem you have a nice variety of different subjects in your poem list very nice this one is different and interesting is it something you thought or may have experienced an incident of this kind in a similar way? Just curiouse Paul Bell January 12, 2025 at 5:35 AM Not so much myself, but people close to me who lost family to suicide. Happy new year.

Paul Callus May 30, 2024 at 2:59 AM That is quite a creative way to tackle this topic, Paul. Prior to suicide there are usually suicidal thoughts floating in crisis zone. It is here that help and understanding could make a preventive difference. ~ Regards // paul Paul Bell May 31, 2024 at 3:13 AM Yes, it all starts with thought.

Paula Goldsmith May 20, 2024 at 12:59 PM I enjoyed reading your wonderful yet very sad write/story. The brother of a friend just tried this. He did not make it but now has no eye sight. Have A Blessed Day Writing Away........ Paul Bell May 22, 2024 at 6:23 AM Bloody sad out there for some now.

Diane Christian May 20, 2024 at 3:15 AM It's sad so many people are taking their lives. I knew people that sadly went to soon. Paul Bell May 20, 2024 at 10:00 AM Yeah, too much pressure out there now.

Charlotte Puddifoot May 16, 2024 at 8:57 AM personifying suicide is an original angle on this sad subject, and those last two lines pack a punch Paul Bell May 16, 2024 at 1:17 PM Sad reality for more and more now.

Silent One May 12, 2024 at 7:06 AM A dark and deep poem about a sad reality.. I wrote about suicide also and how the silence speaks so loudly.. Paul Bell May 13, 2024 at 8:58 AM Too many heading in that direction now.