Jekyll and Hyde

With the death of my parents something changed inside, Its a secret very deep that I’ve tried so hard to hide, I keep busy working but admit I often have denied, There’s not a day go by that I don’t think of suicide. Then I look at my children and become filled with pride, To see my son graduate, my daughter become a bride, Would be part of life so important, it could not be denied. And spending these milestones without me to preside, Would make my family feel like a big part of them died. So I keep the sleeping pills hidden and the act untried, Averting the sad thoughts, putting a smile on the outside. Breathe easy, this secret is not a true story, that’s the upside. Written by Lee Ramage August 30, 2011 For Shani Fassbender’s Contest “Tell Me a Secret” Placement: First place
** According to the World Health Organization someone around the globe commits suicide every 40 seconds. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in 15-24 year olds. WHO website 2009
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

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K. Avatar
September 3, 2011 at 1:12 PM
This sure is a very stirring write, Lee-- sometimes we really wouldn't know what goes through a person's mind and it really helps to express one's feelings..I am so relieved this is not based yourself, but I am also sorry to hear about your friend-- this is an eye-opener...we really need to be more aware & more sensitive to the people around us & try to help.... Really deserving of the 1st place! Super congrats, Lee! :D
Ramage Avatar
September 3, 2011 at 10:30 PM
Thanks Nikko so much for your kind words. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment on my poem. Lee
Poet Avatar
September 3, 2011 at 9:45 AM
Congrats Lee on your 1st place win in the contest of Shani.Very emotional write.
Ramage Avatar
September 3, 2011 at 10:31 PM
Thanks Kashinath so much for your comments. Lee
Ramsdale Avatar
September 3, 2011 at 3:39 AM
A First Place Win Congratulations. CR
Ramage Avatar
September 3, 2011 at 10:31 PM
Thanks Caryl.
Jones Avatar
September 2, 2011 at 11:41 PM
two things... first congrats on the win with fine form on a very difficult topic. .. .. second it could be, just could be, that it doesn't end here.. that there's other stuff besides the definitiveness of heaven and hell... and trying to develop integrity makes a difference. it could NOT be, too... namaste, Lee. ~n
Ramage Avatar
September 3, 2011 at 1:12 AM
Thanks Nancy, I never really thought about there being something else besides heaven and hell, maybe there's nothing... maybe there's a waiting room... who knows. Appreciate your comments, will watch my I's, me, etc... thanks for the teach. Lee
Freeman Avatar
September 1, 2011 at 9:15 PM
Wonderful to see your emotional presentation has won you a first place, Lee. Congratulations on a worthy poem place. Agape, Moses
Ramage Avatar
September 1, 2011 at 9:42 PM
Thanks so much. I appreciate your feedback. Lee
Susan Avatar
September 1, 2011 at 1:32 PM
Emotional poem until the end. So glad it's not true! Congratulations on your #1 win!
Ramage Avatar
September 1, 2011 at 6:41 PM
Thanks so much Susan, I was worried the last line may ruin it but I was also afraid someone might call a Doctor for me... thought the truth was important. Take care. Lee
Sweetheart Avatar
September 1, 2011 at 11:38 AM
Congrats Lee on your first place win luv..
Ramage Avatar
September 1, 2011 at 11:43 AM
Thanks so much Linda. Lee
Song Avatar
September 1, 2011 at 10:27 AM
Lee- A wonderful poem to educate others about the prevalence of suicide and oh so cleverly scripted! A real beauty... and just my style! Congrats on being at the top of the podium. Gwendolen
Ramage Avatar
September 1, 2011 at 11:39 AM
Thanks so much Carrie, I think you have to look at each poem in isolation, because I believe lighter poems are just as great too, but I had a colleague commit suicide and I just wanted to someone honour this illness that no one speaks of. Thanks again. Lee
Ramage Avatar
September 1, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Thank you Gwendolen so much. I really appreciate you taking the time to provide such nice meaningful comments. Lee
Richards Avatar
September 1, 2011 at 10:02 AM
This is so gripping, you tackled such a difficult subject so well.....and I am so relieved it does not come from personal experience. (Makes my own ditty sound so silly....yours indeed a winner!) Congratulations!!
Ramage Avatar
September 1, 2011 at 11:42 AM
Hi Carrie, I responded once but it seems to have disappeared, so to rephrase, I truly believe we need to read each poem in isolation and think about what they say, as lighter ones will often just brighten my whole day... rhyming and not trying. Thanks again, congrats to you too on all your wins, of which I can't hold a candle to. Take care Lee
The Rogue Rhymer Avatar
September 1, 2011 at 9:44 AM
Lee-so glad that you made the #1 spot-you really deserved it-this is a gem! Congrats. to you :)!
Ramage Avatar
September 1, 2011 at 11:40 AM
Thanks so much Natalie I think you read it before anyone else. Appreciate your feedback. Lee
Brown Avatar
September 1, 2011 at 7:14 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved 1st Place win in Shani's "Tell Me a Secret" contest Lee. Love,Carol
Johnson Avatar
September 1, 2011 at 6:04 AM
I used to consider jumping off the story bridge, women trubble hey, but me sense of humor kept saying , it might hurt, water looks cold etc. So I caught another horse... great poem here !
Ramage Avatar
September 1, 2011 at 6:20 AM
Thanks for your comments Don. I think everyone at one time or another has thought about suicide but its those that act upon those thoughts that I worry about. Take care Lee
Williams Avatar
September 1, 2011 at 3:34 AM
hey Lee congrats on a superb win, great poem, very sad facts you state though.. David
Ramage Avatar
September 1, 2011 at 6:20 AM
Thanks so much David. Much appreciated lee
Fassbender Avatar
August 31, 2011 at 11:39 PM
Lee, I was praying all along that it was not a true story for you. It is very sad that it is someone's story though... Thanks for the compelling poem; very well deserved first place win in my contest!
Ramage Avatar
September 1, 2011 at 6:19 AM
Thanks Shani, I had a colleague commit suicide and its a topic dear to my heart. Thank you so much for the first place win. Its an honour. Lee
George   Avatar
August 30, 2011 at 8:19 AM
So many souls in such pain. So sad that these statistics are true. Great writing, Lee. Elaine
Ramage Avatar
August 30, 2011 at 10:20 AM
Thanks Lee
The Rogue Rhymer Avatar
August 29, 2011 at 5:46 PM
Lee-excellent poem-very powerful-I also like that you included the stats. Good luck in the contest!
Ramage Avatar
August 29, 2011 at 6:30 PM
Thanks so much.
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