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Rate this poem:5.0 / 3 votes

When lonely days turn to empty nights,

And pain and sorrows turn to endless frights,

When your shining smile turns to just a blank face,

And no matter the effort you feel you’re losing the race,

When the thoughts in your head just get deeper and darker,

And you just feel like you are falling faster and farther,

When the walls all close in and you cannot escape,

And the darkness envelops you like a bottomless lake,

When you get to your end and you don’t want to live,

And you have fought and fought and given all you can give,

Then you look in the mirror and get a glimpse of the past,

And see the person you were looking back from the glass,

Then something changes and you see all those you love,

And realize you don’t want to see them from only above,

Then you spit up those pills or take your hand off that gun,

And finally it feels like this battle can be won,

When a suicide survivor says that redemption is possible,

Then you just might want to listen because living is wonderful.

About this poem

My true story about mental health, doing the unthinkable and recovery

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Written on March 09, 2025

Submitted by Dannyfe on March 09, 2025

1:06 min read
232 Views

Danny Feador

37 year old mental health advocate and suicide survivor. more…

All Danny Feador poems | Danny Feador Books

2 fans


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Discuss the poem When and Then with the community...

5 Comments
  • ladyygracious
    Beautifully written! Love it Dan
    LikeReply2 hours ago
  • miraculousthemodel
    Danny, your poem is incredibly moving and raw. The way you capture the depths of despair and then the light of recovery is so powerful. Your honesty is inspiring, and your message of hope will resonate deeply with so many. Thank you for sharing your story and reminding us all of the importance of choosing life. 
    LikeReply16 hours ago
  • PriscillaKing
    Spitting up the pills was the right decision.
    LikeReply17 hours ago
  • watson_haziee_25
    love it
    LikeReply18 hours ago
  • acronimous
    Beautiful and heartwarming!
    LikeReply2 days ago

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"Poetry.com" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 13 Mar. 2025. <https://www.poetry.com/>.

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