stay a while longer
I’m fundraising for Samaritans. From time to time, they've offered me a space to open up, without being judged or fixed. They honour where you're at - human to human.
As part of the fundraiser, I’m sharing a quietly powerful poem of mine, 'Stay a while longer'.
It’s uncomfortable doing this; suicide is still such a taboo subject. But it helps if people like me talk about our experience. We’re the ones who hold the wisdom.
Samaritans are there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You don't have to be in crisis to call.
Please donate so that people have somewhere to turn.
stay a while longer
if you can
breathe
some more
even if it’s just another hour
be sure
before you slip into the deep
I know that sea
its rack & roar
my soul cast off
dashed on rock
it’s like dying without dying
I don’t offer hope
hope is of some future place
not here
adrift
in the howling stretch
I honour your passage instead
hold to the raft of yourself
if you can
one shattered piece
if that’s all that’s left
for just another minute
if you can
another breath
try to find a way of being
of dying without dying
your soul knows how
to find a way to
rest
on the brow
hold a while longer
if you can
even if
it’s just
for now