This 1 S 4 U Poem by RIC BASTASA

be a model
when you speak
of suicide

be brave
and be a man
when you lecture
about suicide

be cool
and be strong
and be candid
when the theme
is suicide

be truthful and be
kind when you lecture
about suicide

do not leave
us all guilty
be fair and be just
when you write a poem
about suicide when you say
there is nowhere to run
there is nowhere to hide

be clear and be not hardheaded
when you speak
about this goddamn suicide
be sympathetic
have a little empathy
compassion
and be honest when you
begin to touch
on suicide

have faith
and be specific about it
when you speak of suicide

say who
fix when and what means
what end

and be reasonable about
why........

then do it, if you will
if you won't
don't ever speak about it
again

if you speak
then you will be
dead
and if you are silent
then you
are damned