Poem -

84 men a week

84 men a week

84? Really? How can we let this be?
They battled their thoughts and fears...

Silently, quietly, unable to see..
a future, just pain and endless tears.

All men.. society expected to be strong,
Yet, they took all that they could,

Was their decision entirely wrong?
If no one listened or understood?

84 men a week they say,
Take their lives and leave the earth,

If we’d listened and shown another way,
Or..enlightened them of all their worth.

Maybe 84 would still be living...
feeling small glimmers of hope,

If we loved, listened and started giving,
Would they have chosen the gun, the knife..the rope?

They’re men, men don’t talk,
Don’t they? Or do they just feel weak?

...talking about their feelings making them balk,
Listen, put your arm around them, encourage them to speak.

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Comments

author
Nine Eleven

Hard hitting poetry Tracey.

It's a very sad statistic.

I cast my scared mind back a few years, 2010/2011. I was out of work and I never felt such anger in all my life, I became unable to provide for my wife, it was a very depressing era for me and I believe this to me a major role in the deaths of young men.

My brother always says that money doesn't give you happiness, but it makes "being miserable" easier.

 

Reply
author
Tracey Goundrill

As it’s mental health awareness in the Uk this week, I wanted to write about this shocking statistic, Gerard. It’s just so alarming how many young men take their own lives. I’m really sorry to hear of your own suffering. It’s so very important that men are able to talk freely about their thoughts, feelings & struggles..without the feelings of shame, fear or embarrassment that they can feel, mostly because men are expected & are made to feel they should be able to cope...simply because you’re men!  The more men like yourself who can open up & share your experiences will help so many others feel that they are not alone, or that they are any less of a man for feeling overwhelmed. Thank you for sharing Gerard & for your feedback ? ?x

Reply
author
Nigel Cresswell...

Tracey, I have lost more than one friend to their own dispair. When I was very young I was part of the British punk scene, back in the early 80s, and we lost a few. There have been many more since. The music industry can be very macho, nobody ever talked about how they felt. I was a biker and the same thing applies. I am afraid to say that it is only possible to listen when someone talks. We have to encourage men to talk. 
Really great write Tracey, important. 
Nigel 

Reply
author
Tracey Goundrill

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences of such painful  events Nigel. You are so right, men must be encouraged to talk. The more we can highlight this the better for the men who are currently suffering in silence. The statistic is utterly deplorable. Thank you for your appreciation Nigel ? x

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