Journeyman's Row

         Discovering tomorrow's future starts by discussing yesterday & today.

***  October 11, 2016  -  June 30, 2021  ***

“Not Forgotten Or Remembered”

Poem written by: Jim R. Irion

I long to challenge this affliction of mine

       for all of you, for the better.

I want to hang on to this life

       as long as I possibly can.

To stay and live in the hopes

       of creating positive change.

To actually advance mental health awareness

       and improve suicide prevention.

Selfishly; by helping others.

       Selflessly, though I'm struggling.

I am not all that

       remarkable of a person.

But I may have become

       something more than expected.

I can fight these battles

       that many never could.

I am not an Avenger,

       but I am an advocate.

I cannot live with myself

       if someone is being abusive.

How can anyone live with

       someone dying young from misery?

Enough was enough all those years ago

       when a classmate took his life.

Enough was enough all those days ago

       when a classmate drowned from addiction.

We cry from all this unbearable pain.

       We wipe away a thousand tears.

How could I possibly settle for

       giving sincere condolences?

Their lives are worth far more than mine.

       No one can prove otherwise.

I want their sacrifices to be meaningful,

       truly honoring every moment of silence.

I don't want to be forgotten.

       I don't want to be remembered.

I want to change the course of history,

       or trade my life for theirs.