Essay by David Rotsch

I wonder what they’ll say when they can’t say goodbye. 

People take you for granted before you die. You bend and you give and it’s never enough. You’re just another person on earth with some stuff. You love and you help and you hurt for everyone. But then the time is now and you are done. 

What do they say and what will they think? Will they salute your name and share a drink? Will they cry for you finally and show they care? Will they finally understand your blank stare? 

When you gave up after years of fighting the fight. 

When you could no longer sleep at night. 

When tears stained your face and the hurt was too real. 

Will they finally care how they made you feel. 

Unloved and useless, used and ignored. Will they finally get it, when you don’t answer the door. Six feet deep and gone and forever alone. I bet they won’t know what you’ve known. You were strong, but flawed and now you’re dead. No more pain and no more dread. No more jokes or smiles that are fake. No more pain and no more awake. Forgotten as soon as you chose to die. No longer around for them to say goodbye.