She walked along the riverbank 

Heart drenched with sorrow 

Eyes searching for a savior 

Mind wandering through flashing life memories 

She wore white for this occasion 

As if she were arriving for a baptism 

Only she was preparing for her ending 

She was over it 

This thing called the human experience 

The more she thought about the pain she carried 

The more dark clouds began rolling in 

Like a chariot driven by Angels 

Ready to stamp her one way ticket 

Despite her being ready to end it all 

She was concerned about the story they would tell 

Words like local, depressed, teenager, drowning 

The picture they would paint with hues of anger, confusion, loneliness, heartbreak 

A story, news article, obituary that she would be the face of 

Judgement Day, gossip, example 

No voice to edit the rumors, or change the errors to arrows pointing to her truth

She thought she had her mind made up but the idea of someone else narrating her story made her conflicted

Before she could turn away

Before she could pick another day

She slipped into the river 

Fighting the water with a fistful of regret 

Swinging fear around

Punching disappointment 

Kicking grief 

Tumbling with rejection 

Surrendering to exhaustion 

Relaxing in stillness 

One last breath of relief 

The battle is over 

For a moment there is nothingness, a void, darkness 

She realizes she is still conscious 

Fully aware 

She hears voices in the near distance 

prayers, confessions, reconciliation, love

She follows the sound like it’s aroma to the ears

The louder the voices become the lighter she gets 

This is a new feeling to her

There was no worries, no insecurities, no sadness 

But acceptance, forgiveness, peace

Emerging from the darkness is the sun 

Filling her up with the willpower to carry on 

As she begins to ascent to the heavens 

She’s closes her eyes in anticipation of what’s next

The softest, most precious voice tells her “It’s not your time yet, take 3 deep breaths, open your eyes and rewrite your story”

Inhale hold exhale 

Inhale hold exhale 

Inhale hold exhale 

As she slowly opens her eyes to take a look around, everything is a blur but one thing is clear 

She was surrounded by red roses 

The essence of love being communicated 

A strong desire for joy and happiness covers her like a warm blanket 

The softest, most precious voices greets her and asks her how she feels 

With the breath of life she replies 

“Alive”.