For If You Ever Miss Me
This original poem was inspired by my on-going battle with depression. Line 1 - "kiss me before you say goodnight" - is my statement to those who do not suffer and/or do not understand depression. Although I am direct in this statement, it is meant to serve as a reminder that though the depressed often cannot verbally express their needs and exclude themselves, we still have a need for love, understanding, and compassion.
Lines 2-12 are meant to remind the reader that tomorrow is never promised and, that we must make the most of our relationships while we can. Speaking from experience, this is never easy with someone who is depressed; as we often alienate the people in our lives and remove ourselves from public settings. It is important to remember that we do not choose to do this and, that in most instances, this is a silent plea for someone to love us when we are unable to love ourselves.
Lines 13-23 attempt to make the reader envision a life where the depressed party has ended their life. The sycamore tree is deliberately used for it's symbolism as a transition point from the physical body to a metaphysical world. The kiss which is received from the star represents death claiming the soul and a welcome end to a tormented life. I had also chosen to rob line 23 of the already established rhyme and meter; this was done to add dissonance, create a lasting reverberation, and to reinforce the painful finality of death.
I hope you enjoy my poem and that it helps to shed light on some of the emotions and needs of anyone in your life who may suffer from depression.
PLEASE REACH OUT AND HELP THOSE WHO CANNOT HELP THEMSELVES! National Suicide Prevention Hotline - 1-800-273-8255
For If You Ever Miss Me
Kiss me before you say goodnite
For in slumber's grip
The bonds we slip
Are never promised or new
Though still we rise
With tired eyes
As the sun caresses a rosy dew
While quiet creeps
The hand of night
On the cusp of the heels of the day
To close the eyes
Of a tired soul
Too soon departed and gone astray
But if you ever miss me
You need not look too far
I'll be somewhere near
In a sycamore tree
Admiring a beautiful star
Whose rose rimmed head
Half nestled in bed
Had pressed her lips to mine
For to steal a moment
Before memory fled
To reside in the inky sea of night
C. William Carroll