dont tell me

do not worry, im not going to kill myself (to those who were worried)

do not tell me, my best friend 

would sit at our lunch table, 

for three days, just staring blankly

at my old seat wishing i was still there, 

to fill that space with laughter. 

do not tell me, my younger brother

would break down, in the middle of class

because they started talking about my 

favorite subject in school.

do not tell me, my mother

would stare into the mirror, with lips

trembling wishing she could be bringing 

me home from the hospital, rather than 

having them escort me away in a casket to 

the nearest graveyard.

do not tell me, my father

would begin working the night shift, 

to distract himself of the silence at home

because my musics not playing anymore. 

do not tell me, my boyfriend 

would go into my room, take out on the last 

sweatshirt i wore and desperately imprint my 

scent into their skin, so they never forget

my smell. 

do not tell me, my friends

would stare blankly, at the gymnasium wall, 

after the principal has announced my death to 

the entire school, making no noise,

trying to convince themselves this is just

another on of my impractical jokes. 

Reviews

[J. K. Beach]

The way you set this piece up with the structure of the thoughts and emotions of family and friends about someone who, tragically, has gone on without them works very well. It is a powerful piece full of detached, but strong emotions. The easy conversational tone makes it believable and quite accessible to the reader. Well done!