near the ledge.
No one beside her to stop her
from plunging to her death,
into the chilly rapids below.
No one at the bottom to catch her.
She's all alone.
With each deep breath,
she takes another step.
Just a few inches at a time.
Thoughts fill her mind;
she wonders what her
purpose in life is;
and if she has a purpose.
She sees nothing.
The ledge starts to crumble
under her feet.
Scared, she jumps back.
She asks herself,
"What are you doing here?"
Part of her says,
"Go ahead. Jump.
You have nothing to live for.
No one cares. Go ahead."
She tries to fight it,
but it gets to her.
She can't seem to find
a reason to live.
She keeps hearing,
"Just one more step"
run through her mind.
Finally she gives in.
She closes her eyes,
takes one last deep breath,
and then she jumps.
She hits the rapids.
Can you believe it?
Just like that,
she's gone.
One less beautiful face.
One less encouraging friend.
One less much-loved person.
A mind and soul deceived.