TO THOSE WHO WATCHED ME DIE
by Bryan Borland
on the suicide of Abraham Biggs, broadcast over a webcam to a live audience on November 19
Who was
sicker that day?
I took handfuls of
poisonous pills
as I told you I would
positioned the camera,
said goodbye
and went to sleep
while you
abbreviated your
vulgar laughter,
entertained
at
more
reality television.
Any of you could have saved me.
As you kiss
each day goodnight,
I want you to remember
my skin turning
blue, purple, pale,
my life a prism
and death the sunlight slowly shining through it
before your forever-stained eyes.
I chose to die, yes,
but your complacency
was the funeral dirge.
© Bryan Borland
It’s more frightening to me than appalling that this happened. There’s an anonimity to the internet that implies viewers are rendered blameless to the content and intent of what they are viewing…And I suppose there’s also a spotlight for the desparate to have their final say–no matter how skewed it is. It’s just that it makes me sad to think the end of someone’s life garnered more attention than the life itself.
well said, Lo
That’s a very direct and powerful poem and I hope they read it.
I didn’t watch, and I’m haunted.
Apparently, you and I were both thinking of (different) people and their sad (and different) passing that same day…a powerful piece here…anonimity doesn’t get us off the moral hook…best, Darren
I loved your poem, Darren. I invite the readers here to click on your name and check it out.
Agreed … very sad poem about a very tragic event. Incredible how this technology can bring us together, while leaving us feeling alone.
I just hope that this will serve as a lesson for other teens thinking of suicide that they will not find the help they need by posting to strangers and expecting some sort of empathy.
These lights and wires that separate us, also filter out reality to many. They’ve seen so many gruesome videos now that they are numb.
SPEAK UP to the people that love you. Will you have to go to the hospital? Maybe, but after treatment, you’ll be happy again.
I’m sure that the Biggs family would give anything for Abraham to have talked to them about how he was feeling.
F* yes.
haha.