Poem #12--Suicide Stew

SUICIDE STEW


If the darkness is swelling inside of your heart
and your rainbow is eight shades of blue
if you think it's too late now to make a fresh start
I'd advise you to sample some Suicide Stew.

You don't need a mixer, a pot, or a pan
you don't need an oven or fridge
you just need a tree and some double-braid rope
or the courage to jump off a bridge.

If your wife or your husband moved out without warning
and you're suddenly craving the end
if they left you to cry and they won't tell you why
I'll tell you what I'd recommend...

You don't need a compass, a map, or a light
you don't need a raft or canoe
just swallow your weight in antidepressants
and then you have Suicide Stew.

If nobody calls you to say "happy birthday"
if nobody calls you at all
just pick up a gun and move at a run
to the dimly-lit end of the hall.

You don't need a safety, a strap, or a scope
you don't need to be a good shot
just suck on the barrel and pull on the trigger
the Suicide Stew's getting hot!

Who needs a world full of self-serving phonies?
They just want to sell you some junk
they'd kill their own dads for a good parking spot
so go to the pub and get drunk.

Slam a tequila, throw down some whiskey
shotgun a pitcher or two
close down the bar, then head to your car
you're ready for Suicide Stew.

Drive on the sidewalks, park in a fountain
stagger around on the quad
blame all your heartaches on Mary Jane Cornsilk
blame all your troubles on God.

Meanwhile, the rest of us fight on in spite of
the specter of certain defeat
Suicide Stew is an immoral food
that most normal people won't eat.

So maybe it's too late, and maybe it's not,
the question is: What will you do?
Swallow your pride and show them you tried
...or swallow some Suicide Stew.