Many times
Have found myself
Standing on the platform
Waiting for the subway.
Pacing waiting area
Several trains past
Due to crowding.
Trigger for
Anxiety/panic attacks
As the result
Of bullying and abuse..
Hugging station wall
Like a safety net
From the track's edge.
Scared
Suicidal thoughts
Will win.
Only needs
One time
To be fatal.
Knowing
Not only person
Experiencing this.
Those
Who "survive"
Their mangled bodies
Leave witnesses traumatized.
Reading online article
Two local transit systems
Dealing with suicides
A 180° change
Previous policy of silence.
Whenever
Someone attempts suicide
Whether or not
Successful.
Tightrope act
Informing passengers
And preventing copycats
For reason of delay.
Society's stigmas
Towards mental illness
Slowly peels away.
Human cost
No longer ignored.
Annual rising attempts
Successful suicides
And workdays lost
By transit employees
And others.
Solutions
Monetary intensive
Various government levels
Crying poor.
Saving short term pennies
For long term dollars
As the toll mounts.
Either way
It must be paid.
Therisa © 2019
Author’s note: The article that sparked this poem: https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform/subway-suicide-prevention-ttc?webview=true&appname=news-android-app&udid=7f43206c-fe21-42fe-b496-86de9a29fa17&adobe_mc=TS%3D1568497711%7CMCAID%3D5D5AA6ABDE3045D7-28F2582C80E9BEF5
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