Merveilleux!!! I visualized the outer shell of the house until you
opened the door and revealed the warmth inside. One can’t help but
wonder what stories this house holds beneath its gloomy cover. Skillfully done!

I pray your friend found solace in your words. Please take care of you. Sometimes, caring can become a heavy burden to bear.
I speak from both sides...My mind was lost in the endless void of darkness and confusion until I saw the light.

Hugs, Susan

You cannot fill the empty space, Chanti, but he is fortunate to have a freind like you. I hope that he fares well...

Chanti,

Very heartfelt, emotive write - stunning imagery ... pure excellence! Hope your friend will be alright!!

Blessings,

Robert

this is beautiful. i hope your friend is ok.

Do all that you can do. If his world ends at least you know you tried. And that's all anyone can do. Your poem shows a caring heart

Beautiful and deeply caring poetry from the heart, I hope this reaches your friend, outstanding.

Reindeer

Out of pain and sorrow comes beautiful images and verses of
hope...at least they do in YOUR hands...Chanti, my friend. I
surely agree with many comments here, but mostly with Stevens.
You ARE a source of encouragement with your excellent talent and
caring personality!

I can relate to this Chanti....hope your friend survives another "Down"!!

You Are in my prayers!!

Love Tinka

Hope your friend continues to make it. You poemed the comparison quite well. anyway, death comes soon enough, we shouldn't rush it. G

A chilling comination of images and words to ponder the question of suicide and death. Only your friend can help himself and he put a lot of cruel punishment on you to leave you hanging so.

Felix

without making reference to your caveat, i find you poem full of humanity and compassion ...

In my thoughts and prayers... "Let go and let God."

These verses are soul-reaching particularly for those of us who have experienced loss in the manner to which you allude here, Chanti. You know where I am coming from on this. I hope and pray for only good to come of the situation. Certainly, your loving soul is doing its best. Love,

Regis

Well you know I found in talking with people that say don't try and talk me out of it, that they want you to do just that. But people here at the den care about what happens.

Chanti, your kind and gentle spirit shines like a beacon, we as your friends flock to that light to offer our thoughts and support.
And hope your friends cry for help is answered favourably.

You know where we are if you need us.
Paul.

Thanks to all who have responded with such kindness and love. I always take a suicide threat seriously. In my years of counselling I have learnt that although it is often a cry for help, this cry should never be ignored. I will not give up on him but there is little I can do from a distance except let him know that I care and think that he is worth fighting for. He has suffered from depression for a long time and has made threats before but his fear has stopped him. I am hoping that instead of fear being a factor, hope will filter through the darkness and give him a reason to want to live again. The poem was not just inspired by this email but also through the many who are suffering in darkness. If you read this and can identify, I hope you take some hope from it. There are people out there who do care. Reach out and you may be surprised by the love you will receive in return.
God bless you precious friends
Love Chanti

Chanti, they say those who keep threatening don't do it, but that's not true. though many times it works out that way, the person who tries to commit suicide is crying out for help. They don't want to die, they just can't dtand to live with the overwhelming pain they have from whatever situation they are in....If you helped him once you may be able to do it again. I hope you will continue to try. Unless it becomes a problem for you, or he is only doing it to keep your attention. ..........You may not be able to sustain your help,and he may just do it anyway. Yu have to be prepared for that and not feel any blame. It is not your porblem it's his, and you are being a compassionate loving person to help, so don't lose sight of that fact. I've had to learn this through my Christian counseling, tht we cannot assume the burden of thsoe we help, we can only give them our presence until there is no longer a need for it.I wish you all the best and will keep you and he in prayer.
Superb write on the topic!...

love, eileen

What a desperate situation, Chanti, and thank you for writing and posting such heartfelt concern so that, in some small way, we can help to bear this with you. I feel that firstly you should not assume responsibility for the life of this dear friend, otherwise guilt and helplessness can paralyse. Sometimes, like the "drowning man syndrome", we can get caught up in the "clutching at straws" and be disempowered to give the help we otherwise might be able to. Prayer, I have found, is a powerful resource not only to strengthen, but to guide and provide the means by which a way out may be found. There will be many of us here who can stand with you in this. Beyond that, reaching into the depths of the heart and mind that is thus imprisoned will require the building of steady bridges of understanding and clear communication, seeking always to affirm the worth of the person in his own right: that his happiness is not dependent on the presence or actions of others, and that there are other reasons for hope and to live, over and beyond the input of just one person. We can only pray either for a miracle, or that time is on your side. God can provide both - and more! If the house analogy that you use in this excellent write is accurate, could be that the dereliction needs to be addressed: the "rickety building" pulled down and a new one totally reconstructed, psychologically speaking! I pray a phoenix will arise from the ashes. I pray you find a path through this dark tunnel... the right one for both of you. Bless you, and thank you for your ongoing support of my work, too. Love and Prayers, Kate xx

Chanti, people who want to end their lives usually don't want life to end. They want the pain to stop. Keep trying to reach your friend. Perhaps he needs medication to help lift him out of the hole he's in. I was in that place. Thank God for Paxil or I'd be dead. Literally. I stopped myself with a bottle of pills emptied out in my hands. I saw the Dr that afternoon, and got my head screwed on straight. No one, nothing, is worth the eternal separation from God that comes from ending the life He gives to us before He says it's time. Keep trying Chanti...You can't fill the empty mansion, but you can push your friend to do it. If he has a chemical problem, all the kind words and pep talks won't help. Only a doctor with the right prescription will get him started on the right track. This is a heart wrenching write Chanti. I don't envy you your task. Blessings to you! Michelle

I know these feelings well, having gone through them, the tragedy of a love not given in return, or lost. Its the heart that suffers, as well as the mind. And while some might argue that only time can heal such feelings, for the person trapped within them, time becomes an enemy. Friendship, honesty, understanding, prayer, these are what helped me the most...knowing that I wasn't alone. I hope you can reach your friend, Chanti, and help them to know the value of their life. Thank you for posting this.

Is It worth wasting emotional energy, on something you have no control.

Or is it his control over you?

If someone is going to commite suicide, they don't normally tell anyone, except for attention seeking.

Pray and leave it in the lords hands.
If one worries then the praying is pointless.

(((Chanti)))

You and your friend are in my prayers. A deep, dark, powerfully expressed poem you've penned.

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla. :(

all you can do is pray for him and show your support in his time of need; you are in my prayers, as is your friend~ heartbreaking write!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in tx., karen lynn. :( >tears <

i have been on the brink of suicide, too, but i was glad that God rescued me! :)