A Simple Gift of Thanks

Thank you, for writing this book.

It needs to be written.

Simple words.

Spoken by a stranger

as I sat behind my table

last weekend.

A beautiful woman strolled by,

picked up the story of Mara and Zane. 

Reading the back, her eyes filled with tears

as she set it carefully on the simple stand.

Thank you, she said,

for writing this book. 

She took a step to leave, adding,

It needs to be written.

My sad smile of agreement, as she stood

watching me, wondering, I'm sure.

My eyes stayed forward, to the front of the tent, to the

beer table ahead and to my left,

smiling as others entered, and my day continued.

Her thank you has stayed with me since they floated

into the air, since I breathed in her appreciation. 

I wish it didn't need writing, 

that there was no need to give voice to the tough subject of 

suicide. 

Until there is no need for my words, I will 

fight. I will

speak up. I will

be a sounding board for others.

Such simple words, but I cannot

forget them.