To Write Love on Her Arm

This poem is based on the name of a cause that you can join on MySpace or on Facebook. The goal is to raise awareness of teen suicides and self-mutilation. It is staggering, the number of people who suffer from these horrors. And what's even more amazing is the number of adults who have done this and still do, in times of great stress. The group encourages people considering suicide or self-mutilation to write "love" on their arms to remind them that no matter how bad it gets, you don't have to cut. Someone loves you.


Through Sunday, To Write Love on Her Arm is encouraging people to write the word "Love" on their arms to show support for these kids and adults to let them know they are not alone.


I was so moved by the title of this cause, that I wrote a poem based on it. I hesitated in sharing it because it is very emotionally charged. It has been written for several days. But, today, after my daughter spent last evening talking two of her friends off their own ledges (so to speak), I feel compelled to share it.


It is rather graphic, so please, if it disturbs you, forgive me. If you like it or you know someone who needs to hear it, please share it.


To Write Love on Her Arm



So many ways to write Love on her arm
But she chose a knife.
The cuts remind her that she is alive
Carefully she avoids killing,
but not the pain.
Pain makes her feel real
The grief, the frustration, the boredom, the ennui fade
Diluted in the blood.


But there are so many ways to write love on her arm.
I take her into my own arms,
For love is written on mine in the indelible marker of motherhood:
The grace that lasts longer than any marker you could buy.
Grieving for the pain that I cannot heal alone


I begin to write love on her arm.
A reminder that she does not have to hurt, to feel.
There is always someone to hear.
There is always someone who cares.I
hold my baby close and help her know
She does not have to grieve alone.


There is more than one way to write love on her arm.