Lux sat in the car (inhaling deeply) in the garage with the car running – the garage was shut and sealed –
Therese took prescription sleeping pills – and, she took a lot of them –
she sleeps for an eternity…
A kitchen oven blazing – with temperatures high – and Mary stuck her head in it –
Bonnie swung from rope in the doorway – she swung to-and-fro for a few moments,
like there was a gentle breeze –
Cecelia impaled herself – she jumped from her bedroom window
- landing on (becoming a part of) the wrought-iron fence
in the front yard below…
Virginia walked into the river with rocks in her pockets…
Naomi with a gun in her hand – and Kurt with a gun in his hand -
but, just for a moment – just for a moment - (that’s all it takes) –
My friend Michael left this world with a plastic bag over his head –
tied tightly with medium-heavy rope around his neck
(sealed, signed, and delivered) –
no air, no air, no air –
carbon monoxide, after a mild aerosol sedative –
no pain, no pain, no pain …
____
Tim choked violently on his own vomit [overdose] –
after hearing about Keith taking his last breath –
the Firestarter -a Firestarter no more…
[breathe – come play the game, I’ll test ya!
Exhale, exhale, exhale…]
Chester…oh Chester… I may never understand – but, that’s okay
Yeah, sometimes it doesn’t even matter…
____
Robin made me laugh… for years –
a rope and a bathtub and my memories will never be the same…
mental illness is alive and well in 2023 and in 2014
(and in every year – before and after)
Oh Silvia – how I continue to love thee…
____
Courtney and I (and others) breathe as others no longer breathe…
the professional widow and I stand on a picturesque beach together –
with photo albums opened and exposed –
the humid air destroying them [slowly] as the memories [slowly] deteriorate into moments that will eventually fade -
… and he swore he didn’t have a gun…
Photo: Jimmy Broccoli.
