I have been on a number of suicide prevention courses during my university career, in case I should ever come across a student in distress. Meanwhile national suicide levels continue to rise, particularly among the young, I suspect, as the act becomes more socially acceptable as a means to solve one's problems - an unintended consequence of the push for assisted suicide for the chronically ill - though no suicide charity has dared to speak up so far. Which prompted the following thoughts on whether a more unconventional approach might be called for if I were to come upon a youngster on the brink.
Stop, Don’t Jump!
Stop, don’t
jump!
I’ll have
that dewy complexion, those bright eyes, that salon hair, if you don’t want
them
I’ll have
those admiring male looks, those limitless job opportunities, that chance to
start over.
I’m a great
believer in recycling unwanted pert breasts and precision perfect teeth
I could do
with a new pituitary gland, a new pair of ears, 20/20 vision,
And knees
that don’t creak
Which look
wow in mini skirts
Your restless
energy and raging hormones will be put to good use by me.
It’s true
what they say that youth is wasted on the young
You just drink,
smoke and fritter it away
Or at the
first obstacle, call life a day.
But who
asked you to cure cancer?
Just don’t
be an a**ehole and look when you cross the road.
That’ll do
for starters.
Maybe a random
act of kindness here and there?
If you can
tear yourself away from your smartphone long enough.
But if you
can’t manage life’s basics, hand your meat suit to me
Let me try
on that all over tan for size.
I’m sure
it’ll fit.
I’ll pout
for the rest of your selfies
Send your friends updates so they’ll never know
And you do
carry a donor card, right?
What, you’ve
decided not to jump after all?
Bugger!
©LS King 2017
