Call Me Back Poem by Joseph Edwards

Call Me Back

Hello Crisis Text Line?
I have something I need to share. I have learned, depression doesn't hand out favors in luxury, and won't always look sad. My beautiful daughter. Age 17. Only a few months, sometimes a week, or even a day after this photo was taken. She, He, They wanted to end her, his, their life.

The day it happened their best friend called and called,
The day it happened the phone rang and rang.
You have 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 new voicemails.
Hey girl. It's me, I just haven't heard from you in a few days.
Wanted to check in. That's all. Call me back, bye. BEEP
We made plans to see each other today and you're not answering. I'll call back later. BEEP
Hey girl. It's me, BEEP
Hey girl. It's me, BEEP
Hey I know, I know I'm being neurotic
but… it's just… is everything okay? BEEP
The day is half over and I'm officially freaked out. I'm coming over. I know you just moved,5th street right? I'll find it BEEP
Hello, I'm here…BEEP
… but it was too late.
In the end all that remains is a note left by my daughter or your son that reads, 'I'm sorry Mom. Mostly because I hid the signs and scars as best I could, Careful to wrap and cover up every landmark on a body size road map.Here because I am not someone special, Here because you and everyone else were always busy, Here because I am so tired of trying. I just can't. I'm Sorry.

Hello Crisis Text Line?
Are you still there, I lost her, him, we lost them. We lost them all. Look at this photo, doesn't she, him, don't they look happy?
A day after this photo was taken. She, He, They wanted to end her, his, their life.
Hello Crisis Text Line? Thank you for trying to help them, and please if you can help me too.
Call me back?

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