JON'S SUICIDE

Don't ignore a person's pain. We all have storms but they are easier to survive if people care to help you through them.

 

 

My neighbor Jon shot himself inside his withered house
No one knew he died because Jon rarely ever came out
After his family died in a car accident he retreated from the world
He never could get over the loss of his wife and baby girl
Jon's once prized yard was overgrown and the trees were all dead
Raccoons and flies made a home because his garbage kept them fed
Neighbors kept complaining that Jon let his house fall apart
Caught up on monetary value they ignored Jon's loss and broken heart

A deadly twister blew in and Jon's withered house tumbled down
His rotted trees uprooted and were strewn along the ground
The neighborhood was destroyed; many people did not survive
Distraught families hugged in joy;  just happy to be alive
It seemed people found their compassion once their stuff was gone
And as they were shifting through all the wreckage they came across poor Jon
He was sitting in his chair, with a family picture and gun in his arms
He was rotting and decomposing; he had been long dead before the storms
They found a note in his pocket and this is what it said:

"My name is Jon Riverton. I'm sorry if you found me dead"

He had been dead a few weeks and yet nobody in the neighborhood knew
Because nobody cared about his plight until they lost something too
I believe the moral of Jon's story is we should show love all the time
Don't leave people in a withered shack waiting just to die
Reach out a helpful hand, show someone that you care
Just a moment of understanding can help someone avoid despair
Storms will visit all of us; they come to wreak havoc on our lives
But if we stand together in compassion many more souls like Jon will survive.

© 2013 Eddie Phillips

Reviews

[Yellow Butterfly]

Such power in your pen and the magnitude of compassion in your heart to write such a compelling poem such as this one Eddie. Caught up in a society where it is literally dog eat dog out there.. yes we all have our own crosses to bare and our equal share of loss of loved ones...but that shouldn't stop us from caring and looking out for one another.

Reaching out and touching someone's hand really would make this world a better place (as cliche as this may sound).... it's true..

No one should have to live a life and to have it end in such a tragic way..

Exceptional write... 100/100

[Eddie Phillips]

Thank you for reading and connecting with this poem. It is a truth that we all have to look at and try to solve. All it takes is a little bit of understanding. Too many people are losing it in this day and age because we no longer talk to each other. We text, Skype, and email but never say hi to a neighbor that walks past our home. Thank you for reading.

[Traci]

This is a truly compassionate bittersweet write, with a powerful message. One that clearly shows your gentle soul as the words flow so effortlessly. We are caught up in a society where we have lost the ability to communicate with one another unless it is through text, pc, etc. We do not take the time to listen, to understand, to really know what is happening with others around us. I agree with YB, "no one should have to live a life and to have it end in such a tragic way." and the sad part is, Jon's pain was ignored, each storm he faced he faced alone, and could have been avoided. Well done my friend, 100/100

[Sheila Kline]

Oh how sad! You have captured the human condition in a way that pierces the heart! This poor man was not even missed until calamity struck the entire neighborhood. There are too many times when "self" becomes far more than important than "others". May we find it within our hearts to show compassion to others and pay forward the kind deeds that are shared with us!! You convey this thought in your very touching poem.
Wonderful write!!

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

WOW, I feel the sting of being slapped from my chair! How sad that these days we start every sentence with "I" instead of Can Or How...We are not longer communities ...just neighbors...Thank you, for sharing this message with us today Eddie! I am gonna go see if my community needs me for a bit,but will be back to read some more of your works and see how you are.Hope your having a blessed day!

[Eddie Phillips]

Thank you for reading this poem. It was written to illustrate the fact that we ignore people around us and their pain. Sometimes just a kind word is enough o stem the tide of depression and loneliness. Just saying hi to a neighbor can make their day. Its a selfless thing and requires patience and heart to give.

[Angi]

Eddie, I just stumbled across you as I was reading my newsfeed. This piece is so powerful. People seem to have conveniently forgotten what it is like to be part of a community. There are so many that would never ask for help, so many that would try to go it alone. Your message here is a hard knock to our thick skulls. Well done! Angi~

[Eddie Phillips]

I am happy you got a chance to read this poem. I agree totally that we need to look at things before tragedy strikes.

[Emrick]

So sad.People say cowards are the ones who commit suicide but i dont think so.It takes a man as brave as a lion to commit suicide.

[Eddie Phillips]

Suicide can be prevented if people take the time to find out why people are hurting. Some people never see a way out and give up due to pain and frustration. Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of compassion.

[Frieda P]

What a tearjerker this is Eddie, loss will do that to us, take our will to live and ravage our entire lives...people around us don't realize what's inside. Truly compassionate piece of work, well done.

[Eddie Phillips]

Thank you for taking the time to read this poem. I agree with you whole heartedly that people never see what's inside until its too late. Thanks again for stopping by.

[Frieda P]

You're welcome Eddie, my pleasure.

[kpasome peter]

if the world gives up on you, it doesn't mean you should give up on yourself by committing suicide.

[A. H. Pinley]

Good poem & message. Forgive me for being g human, compassion at times isn't second nature.

[Eddie Phillips]

Nope compassion takes work and effort sometimes. Love is a longsuffering thing sometimes. Thanks for reading.

[Tate Morgan]

Very well done and a great message as well

[Eddie Phillips]

Thanks Tate I appreciate it.

[KaylasPoetryBook]

Brought to tears by this one. Sometimes all someone needs is some compassion and support and love. Beautiful message behind this sad story.

[Eddie Phillips]

That is the moral to this poem. Just give a little care and people will gain from it. Thanks for reading and connecting witht his poem.