The theme expressed through your verses is "intimate" with me, Ron. I lost someone very close to me through suicide. She was in constant pain and clearly, life was too much for her to deal with. Thank you for sharing your philosophy on this most important issue. Love and peace to you,

Regis

Ron, you are a very deep thinker. Did you read the review I wrote in Amazon? I emailed you but perhaps you did not see it?.....Thanks pal...Dennis

Wow! To be able to take a subject like this and make a 360 degree observation is truelly a gift and a talent!
Jon

No one knows for sure when we die, where is the next plateau?

Why so short a time on Earth? We were to live forever...that plan

changed after the "Garden of Eden" event. We all leave this Earth

when we are meant to...not a second, minute or hour to soon. Those

who commit suicide, we have free will, never know what their

lives could have been.



Always,

Deborah

What a beautiful poem. We all need to think about this issue. Like with the issue of abortion, it should be a matter of choice, especially for those who suffer incurable disease and those old enough to let go.

a very well done write on a very volitile subject, kudos for posting this here and i too think it is a matter for the individual and his own demons and/or angels...not someone elses. i have never tried it nor would i, i find to much in this one life to experience..every second to me is precious and dear. but to those without health and no chance of healing i can understand their dilema and it is their choice..not mine or anothers.

LIVING IS NEVER EASY. AS LONG AS WE ARE ON THIS EARTH, WE ARE GOING TO EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTIES AND PAIN, IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. "IN THIS WORLD", THE WORD OF GOD SAYS, "YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATIONS, BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD". THE WORD ALSO SAYS, "WHEN YOU PASS THROUGH THE WATERS...AND THE FIRE...I'LL BE WITH YOU." IT DOESN'T SAY, 'IF', IT SAYS, 'WHEN'. I AM GRATEFUL THAT GOD DID NOT LIE TO US...HE SAID, "...BUT I'VE PREPARED FOR YOU A PLACE...THAT'S MORE THAN WORTH WHAT EVER YOU GO THROUGH DOWN HERE." THE CHOICE TO LEAN ON GOD AND LET HIM TAKE US THROUGH, OR TO DECIDE TO REMOVE OURSELVES FROM THIS WORLD...IS A PERSONAL CHOICE. AND GOD GIVES US THE RIGHT TO MAKE SUCH A CHOICE, THAT IS, TO CHOOSE HIM OR REJECT HIM. I DON'T CONDEMN OR JUDGE ANYONE FOR CHOOSING SUICIDE, BUT I CHOOSE CHRIST. AND I DO SO BECAUSE I WANT TO SEE JESUS ONE DAY, FACE TO FACE. I KNOW ITS GETS HARD. PHYSICAL PAIN CAN BE EXCRUCIATING BUT SOMETIMES EMOTIONAL PAIN IS JUST AS BAD, OR SO MUCH GREATER THAN PHYSICAL PAIN. I KNOW BECAUSE I REMEMBER THAT THERE WAS A TIME WHEN I WANTED OUT. BUT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE WANTED TO LEAVE THIS CRUEL WORLD, I WANTED IT TO BE BY HIS HAND. I DIDN'T WANT TO LIVE ANOTHER DAY AND I PRAYED FOR GOD TO TAKE ME OUT OF THIS WORLD. I MADE NO ATTEMPTS TO DO IT MYSELF. WHY? BECAUSE SOMEWHERE DEEP INSIDE I FELT THAT I COULDN'T JUSTIFY 'MURDER' EVEN IF IT WAS MY OWN. YOU SEE, I HAD HAD ABORTIONS AND EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT EVEN TRYING TO LIVE A SURRENDERED LIFESTYLE AT THE TIME, I HAD BEEN CONVICTED OF THE FACT THAT I HAD TAKEN LIVES THAT GOD HAD WANTED ME TO BRING FORTH INTO THIS WORLD. AND I WAS WRONG TO DO SO. YOU SEE A BELIEF IN A TRUE AND LIVING GOD MAKES THE DIFFERENCE AS TO THE DECISIONS WE MAKE IN LIFE. SUICIDE? IT'S A CHOICE BASED ON OUR FAITH WE HAVE IN GOD. WHO CAN SAY WHAT IS HOPELESS? FOR, AS LONG AS THERE IS LIFE...THERE IS HOPE. I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES...I BELIEVE IN GOD AND I BELIEVE THAT HE AND HE ALONE MADE THE DECISION WHEN I SHOULD TAKE MY FIRST BREATH AND HE AND HE ALONE WILL MAKE THE DECISION AS TO WHEN I'LL TAKE MY LAST. I WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH IT...I'LL WAIT ON HIM BECAUSE HE 'NEVER' MAKES A MISTAKE. WE DON'T UNDERSTAND SO MANY THINGS THAT HE ALLOWS BUT THEN AGAIN, THAT'S WHAT FAITH IS ALL ABOUT. TRUSTING WHEN THERE'S NO REASON TO, CLINGING WHEN THERE'S NOTHING TO HOLD ON TO AND..."LEANING NOT TO OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING". HOW CAN WE EVEN BEGIN TO COMPREHEND EVERYTHING THAT HE PERMITS WHEN WE CANNOT POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND HIM WHOSE THINKING "IS HIGHER THAN OURS, AS THE HEAVENS IS HIGHER THAN THE EARTH."? FAITH. "THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH" AND THAT SAYS IT ALL FOR ME. AS CHILDREN OF THE KING WE EITHER TRUST GOD'S DECISION FOR US TO STAY ALIVE, NO MATTER WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH, OR WE MAKE A DECISION TO TAKE OUR OWN LIVES. AS I SAID, THE CHOICE IS OURS. I COULD WRITE A BOOK, RONALD, THIS IS DEFINITELY A PROVOKER OF THOUGHTS. BUT LET ME END WITH THIS THOUGHT BY ALBERT EINSTEIN, WHICH I'M SURE YOU'VE HEARD BEFORE. I AM PARAPHRASING; WE LIVE OUR LIVES ONE OF TWO WAYS...EITHER WE BELIEVE THAT EVERYTHING IS A MIRACLE, OR, WE BELIEVE THAT NOTHING IS A MIRACLE. THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...JOYCE*HIS INSPIRATIONS

For those in pain with no way out, why not?

I agree, I just wish so many wouldn't decide to take others with them, when they go.

Ron,

A subject that is difficult to address but you did it perfectly. I also have a poem called "Suicide". I feel if the person is in terrible pain and NO HOPE for survival it would be a blessing to let that person go to his final destination. Thank you for sharing this poem, Ron. It speaks volumes.

Love and blessings,
Linda

There is so much we know so little about Ron. We do not have the documented statements of those who have passed by any means. May peace and love be always with you my dear friend . Jon Michael

I admire your courage, Ron, in addressing this controversial subject. Because of my faith I have felt that the creator of life should have control of when it ends. I have been on the cusp of suicide and If not for that faith I would not be here. I have, however, felt that it is an injustice to the human experience and spirit that when our beloved pets no longer have any quality of life and are suffering pain, we mercifully put them to sleep but we have to watch the people we love suffer and we must stand by helpless to end it for them. There is morphine for the dying but none for those who must watch them suffer and die. A brave and thought provoking poem.

We are made in the image of our Creator. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. On it it is written, "Handle with Love and Care." Amen

Have many years contemplated this act, & only once tried it and failed, obviously, I have to thank those who discovered Zoloft and those that manufacture the product or I would definitely not be here to thank anybody...Glad this is only a posting of your feelings and not a feeling to commit this act for to have you, Ron, gone, I would definitely have hole in my existence...-e-

Well done, Ron.

For those who've reached their tolerance for pain, why prolong the agony if there's no hope of recovery, or life with dignity. It's all about respecting one's personal choice. Your poem also addressed those who take their own lives and others along with them which is wrong.

A sensitive topic, with rhyme and much to reason about.

Ron... suicide is a crime if attempted... but not punishable if committed. It seems to me that most people have probably considered it at one time or another but hesitate to talk about it.

Yes?... No?

John

Great write!! I must agree with Michael. I tried it once but ended up in the hospital with tubes everywhere and diarrhea!! Shitty way to go! LOL!!!

Love ya!

Jane

It takes a strong constitution indeed to opening discuss a sensitive subject, and even more courage to dare posit the essence of the thought into the rhythms and structural limitations of poetry. I've always been in favor of euthanasia as an alternative when, as you say, "...all reason for living is finally done,..." and of course the terminal suffering has reached its zenith. Well spoken with compassion and understanding. Bravo.

Ron, you are right, this is a topic that needs to be addressed. You done it in the form of a poem that is just touching. Great creative thinking. I admire that.

Hugs,

Ingeborg

May you get whatever you want in this life and may providence assist you every minute. You are such a darling Ron, never be weak hearted. Continue to be the inspiration for so many others. My best wishes to you always.

Very thought provoking, and well written.To end ones suffering should be our right if and when that time comes.We can euthanize our pets out of kindness and love, but deny ourselves the same compassion.

Michael D.

Suicide has hovered around in my subconscious for many years. Have never attempted it, probably won't ever.