Zachary Ellison scholar, father, fixer

Siddhartha (poem)

TW: mentions suicide


when I was 15 my cousin killed himself,

I was reading Siddhartha by Hesse

After the vigil I finished the book as the candle burned,

Siddhartha and his infinite eyes

that frail man Hesse leaves his friend to find.

I felt inside something I can no longer name

Something vital, now it’s gone.

My therapist said I needed a foundation.

I decided I would

keep my promises,

have intention,

intend to help.

I built a person I liked on top.

It’s 12 years later - that foundation cracked

That boy I built crumpled, collapsed.

A man under the rubble is starting to choke

he cries out and I can’t hear.

I wish Michael got to see sunlight after his storm.

One more dawn to keep him

To get used to the dark.

I got lost in the dark.

I can’t see my hand

Where do I turn to return to who I am?

I lost him.

I gave him away in a desperate plea

please love me