Suicide

[isis]

you put a horse out of it's misery when it is more painful for it to continue than to try to heal it...I feel that people should be granted the same dignity.

i'm reminded of this poem i happened across the other day:


"My Swan Song"

Has man the right
To die and disappear,
When he has lost the fight?
To sever without fear
The irksome bonds of life,
When he is tired of strife?
May he not seek, if it seems best,
Relief from grief? May he not rest
From labors vain, from hopeless task?
—I do not know; I merely ask.

Or must he carry on
The struggle, till it's done?
Will he be damned, if he,
World-weary, tired and ill,
Deprived of strength and will,
Decides he must be free?
Is punishment awaiting those,
Who quit, before the whistle blows,
Who leave behind unfinished task?
—I do not know; I merely ask.

it's the final poem written by george sterling, in 1926, just before he killed himself. i read that he would keep a cyanide pill on him at all times & when asked about it he'd reply with something like, 'a prison becomes a home if you have the key to leave.'