It was the time for our annual rush

To jump off the cliff and land with a crush,

When one bright one amongst us meekly said:

“I would much rather stay home in my bed”.

We stopped there, looked at each other and said:

“Mass suicide is really rather sad;

Let’s phone Samaritans and ask for help,

Before we decide to jump with a yelp.”

One old one amongst us reached for his phone,

Started dialling with a moan and groan,

Then just waited for someone to answer,

With his heart beating faster and faster.

But there was no luck, no reply at all,

No Samaritans to answer our call,

So we shrugged our shoulders and with a sigh,

Started marching again, ready to die

Singing, shouting: “ If only… only if…”

As we hurled ourselves down from the darned cliff…

Comment:

Hope and wait for other’s help only if

You are prepared to die under a cliff…

© P. J. Oszmann  (2009)

Illustration borrowed from public domain

Postscript:

“Stumbling upon”  the cartoon on the internet, combined with current

“Credit Crunch” blues and mentality inspired this poem.