Pact

January 17, 2025

Content Warning

Allusions to suicidality. Recounting near-suicide attempt.

gray, dancing veil of summer nights in fields
or ponds by industrial facilities
a voice from heaven beckons, "tell me, what
will you do?" centuries pass, before:
"I won't have more than sixteen years to live."
"I suffer, I cry, I pray, but still"
"I won't have more than sixteen years to live."

I became seventeen, a blessing of luck
my walk to work is over highway, well
I won't have more than eighteen years to live.
the guardrail, wide, can carry my weight, keep firm

I lived a longer, fuller, brighter life.
than even God expected.
    

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