A whisper, a prayer.

For Anne Vassas

                  A whisper, a prayer

Our children, are like a garden to us.

We want them to expand and grow to evermore.

Once unstoppable spirit,

left my world.

Just a face to me,

just a few photos and a honored short life.

Once unstoppable young woman,

a U.S Marine,

took her own life.

I am left with a whisper, a prayer.

"Please lord of life and death.

Please allow Anne into a better place,

where she can know joy and happiness."

All of us, can struggle.

Please pay attention to the people near.

Listen, lead with concern and kindness.

Some people on holding on to a thread of hope,

hiding fear and disappointment.

They bury a beautiful flower today,

just a baby,

and all I can do is,

whisper a prayer.

Dear Anne.

You will be missed by many and I hope you are dancing with the angels.

                 Dancing Coyote

Author's Note

Some words.

Reviews

[lightsong]

Very sad, we hear about that almost everyday, young people taking their own lives, and You sit to wonder how much these children faced with no helping hands that they took such a decision? on what edge they were standing? what was that unbearable level they reached? young spirits who had a full life waiting ahead for them, so sad indeed, and Your words are tenderly moving, filled with faith and sincere wishes, Your words are heard above the same as here my friend, I have no doubt about it. a beautiful tribute, a beautiful whisper, a beautiful prayer. Thank You my gentle and kind friend for writing and sharing this with us, May she rest in peace and dance with the angels ✨✨✨

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you my friend. Was a school friend of my daughter. A sad lost. Her poor family.

[lightsong]

I hope Your daughter is doing fine my friend. my payers for her family and loved ones.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear John... I have always struggled to be happy...
it is human nature. When young people are
scattered here and there, they have no sense of
belonging to someone... I try to be kind and sensitive...
therefor, I may give someone an idea of how precious
life could be. As for me, life is a delicacy to be savored.
The sky with all it's emotions and the sound of rain when
the earth is thirsty and needs nourishing.. the music of the soul.
My sympathy for your daughter's friend... may she find peace
and contentment. truly, Pat

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Pat. I hope she is in a better place.

[Robert Trakofler]

breaks my heart when young folks take there lives. I always feel like we (as a society) are to blame I think about all of the young veterans returning to home and unable to readjust and all of the discarded children out there that wouldn't no love. We have to do a better job as a community to stop these things from happening. I'm so sorry for your daughters loss and the loss to society of her precious life

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree Robert. A female Marine left us. No media, a life untold and not written yet. Break my heart too, when the children believe death is better than life. Thank you Robert for reading and the comment.

[Kesch (Finding Julia)]

All of us, can struggle.
Please pay attention to the people near.
Listen, lead with concern and kindness.
Some people on holding on to a thread of hope,
hiding fear and disappointment.

YES, Oh so true, love this part a lot. very nicely written and said. sad write though.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you my friend for reading and the comment. Suicide, leave us with great sadness.

[Kesch (Finding Julia)]

i know it can, a year ago today I lost my uncle from suicide, I have been down in the dumps all day from thinking about him.

[Lydia Shutter]

How sad. I am sorry for your loss, dear John. When someone takes their own life, those who knew and loved her/him are left with so many questions. Yes, we must be empathetic and compassionate and just listen when people are depressed. We have to let them know they are important and there is hope. Unfortunately, there is no logical way to explain suicide....it is not a logical act. Heartfelt words here, John. Lydi**

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Lydia. You are right my dear friend.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

My father too decided to leave this world at the age of 23, when I was but four years old. He had two young daughters, was laid off from his job, and found out that his wife (my mother) was having an affair with his best friend. That would be a lot for a 50 year old to handle. I can't imagine how that must have been for him at 23. Sensitive souls, broken hearts, restless minds … one never knows the true depths of a person, only God. He knows their tender hearts and will embrace them with mercy. I'm sorry for your daughter's loss. She was a beautiful woman.

[Coyote Poetry]

I lost two brothers to suicide. We learn to live with, never understand. For a four year old. A hard thing to learn and live with. Thank you Linda for reading and your kind words.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

It was actually harder for me than most. I have no memories of him whatsoever. I think to hide her own shame and guilt, my mother lied and said that my father died in Vietnam. So, I grew up idolizing my dad, thinking that he was a hero who died for our country. While I would beg her to take me to his grave, she never would. When I was 19, I set out to find his grave. That's when the truth unfolded. I found him in an unmarked grave, and it was then that I discovered he had committed suicide. In a flash, my whole life, as I knew it, was shattered. I went through cycles of depression for four years, where I would wake up sobbing and couldn't stop. It would pass and then months later hit me again. It's a terrible thing for those left behind and worse when it's hidden behind a veil of secrecy and lies.

[barleygirl]

WOW! WOW! And WOW! This is so crystal clear & powerful! It goes straight to the heart my friend, especially knowing your lifelong experience with this curse. The thing I love most is that your msg is balanced between showing the profound hurt that's left behind while also honoring the feelings of the people who do this (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Margie. Somethings we shall never understand.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this is so sad...we who are left, are left to wonder why that person couldn't find a reason not to take his or her own life...
you write with such a "moving" pen, my friend.
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

A sad poem for a twenty year girl. Thank you for reading and the comment my friend.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Your heart speaks so tenderly and sadly here coyote. This is an eloquent and graceful remembrance of a life gone tragically and much too soon. Perhaps due to ptsd? “They bury a beautiful flower today..just a baby.”- tears. God bless you, RIP, and thank you for your brave service US Marine Anne Vassas .may the angels comfort you and dry all your tears. Amen.🙏

[Coyote Poetry]

A quiet death, little written. We cannot forget Anne Vassas lived once. Thank you Annette for reading and the kind wors.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

You are very welcome my friend.