Not The Answer Poem by H.M. Gautsch

To the victims,
I wish I could show you,
The beautiful side of life,
You relentlessly walked away from.

To the silent ones,
I wish you would speak up for,
The ones suffering in strife,
Reach out to the ones feeling succumb.

Don't just turn your heads,
It could be your own kid!
Don't be afraid to tread,
Don't fear the worst, hope for the best.

How can I convince you?
The ones that try to run your life,
Are not your master.

How can I convince you?
That suicide is not the only escape route,
It's really not the answer.

There shouldn't be secrecy,
If you need help,
Find the courage to ask.

Let this poem be your mercy.
When you're overwhelmed,
And remove the mask.

My friends call me brave
Very few have seen where I've been,
Compared to where I am now.

My main motivation,
Is my own ambition, my own talents,
So you can show the world your own endowments.

How can I convince you?
The ones that try to run your life,
Are not your master.

How can I convince you?
That suicide is not the only escape route,
It's really not the answer.

This poem isn't just directed,
To those bullied in high school,
Or those who dare to be different.

I also want to make a special shout out,
To the combat veterans who struggle with PTSD,
Traumatic brain injury, or depressed
For missing a limb or a few.

I'm not trying to make it all about me,
But my whole life is far from a fantasy,
Most the things I've listed, I've been through.

I pray you see my stories as inspirations,
To find the desire and affections,
survive Lucifer's fire.

How can I convince you?
How can I convince you?