Dark is our Teacher

     Throughout the past few months, there have been multiple suicides in my town. Everyone in my school feels the losses as a pain of their own and the community wants to ensure that people get help before it's too late. I attended a lantern lighting ceremony last night to honor the suicide victims and their families. It was a great event that helped start healing, closure, and hope. The event also triggered some thoughts of my own relating to my experiences.

     The poem below is what I wrote to explain that believe it or not, the phrase "it gets better" is true. I want people to stick around to be able to realize this and learn that tough times do make people stronger. Everything else I post about in my blog can't be enjoyed if a person isn't alive to experience it. Everyone has their purpose in the world, from something small like making someone laugh from a joke stated in class or something large like contributing to a long lasting friendship. People need to remember to stay strong and that every storm passes, no matter how hopeless and weak they feel at the moment.

Lessons from the Dark

The world is a magnificent place, yet we can’t enjoy it if we are nonexistent.

I know the feeling of being weighted down so much that I thought I could never be lifted.

But, stemming from the darkest times of my life are the reasons why I must overcome strife.

Down deep in a hole was where I learned what I never thought a person could know.

Climbing out to the edge was a glorious relief.

Mirroring the climb, my new-found perspectives are steep.

I know the field of utmost despair.

I know the profound appreciation of life a person gains from having to sit there.

I know the anguish of being banished from the sun.

I know the overflowing of love a person has to give after the battle is won.

I know the fear of not knowing tomorrow.

I know the fighter inside someone who overcomes sorrow.

I know frailty and meekness, destruction and hate.

I know that healing is possible, no matter how long we must patiently wait.

I might feel regret for my darkened past and the mistakes I made in my life.

But, I know that people will never achieve deeper knowledge and brighter selves unless they stay strong through strife.

Don’t give up on yourself or the people that surround you.

You have lessons to learn that will surely astound you.

by Jessica Herzog