A Wish of Rest for Virginia Woolfe

A wonderful author was plagued with mental illness for many years. She ended her life.

In her head, Leonard's voice
is always calling with love.
He tries to cheer, pick her spirits up
calm ideas deemed too rough.

She walks slowly to the shoreline
watches the tide pull away.
Praying for the resolve to do
what she must this day.

The voices are back
causing pain and agony.
No love, however deep
can conquer this bitter gloom.

She wades into the water.
Heavy rocks took both hands
for death wish pockets. To stay
is selfish and just false hope.

They will all adjust.
Time will heal this open wound.
She will no longer burden,
there is rest in nature's tomb.

She wades into her grave,
the current offers no resistence.
She sees sunlight through the water
then precious silence



By Kathie Stehr