Teen Self Hatred And ‘'13 Reasons'' Poem by Bill Grace

National Public Radio
informs of the most major health threat
to our teens - suicide.
As one who loaded a gun once
in adolescent peak
I am interested.

Ray Godlewski
a college house mate
pre-cellphone, pre-dinosaur
gave me a clue when he spoke
‘'of the burden of an unlimited potential.''
before I surmise what was
his own untimely demise.

As children we are not taught
the nation does not celebrate
that we are not rockets
with the resources of a nation
aimed at the moon.
You cannot fail to launch
if you are not fueled.

No easy response here.

We are hardened to what Jesus calls us
to learn in this area of despair
perhaps someday we can understand
suicide is not an option
to the misery of a planet.