For Those Who Would Bow Out Early

I know it cuts
I know it presses
I know it suffocates
I know, I know, I know

I know you’re tired
I know you’re tired of being tired
I know you’re tired of the shifting
Between shimmering and rotting

You have the right
To choose this for yourself
You didn’t ask to be here
But it’s your responsibility now

I respect your right to choose
No one can decide that for you
I will not honour it
But neither will I resent it

That permanence can’t be undone
Just hold on a little longer
Just rest a little for today
Choose it later if you must

If you can reach out to them
Let those who love you love you
Let them hear you and hold you
And if you stand firm still

Go ahead and dissolve
I won’t praise it, I won’t curse it
I will accept that it’s real
And it’s what you chose for yourself

I’ll wish you nothing further
As there’ll be no more you
No more you to wish or feel
No more you to sense anything at all

On the other hand
If you carry on instead
Perhaps we’ll break bread someday
You and I and others, together

Maybe others will hear you
Tell them your story
They’ll be reminded of why
And they’ll choose to wait a little longer too

You owe nothing to anyone
But maybe you can reach others
Others like you, others like me
Maybe they’ll wait too

Maybe I’ll hear you
Tell me your story
I’ll be reminded of why
And I’ll choose to wait a little longer too

September 14, 2024