The Battle Roars. The Scars Multiply. The Pain Never Ends.

How Many Times

How many times,

do I have to talk someone out of death?

How many times,

do I have to convince someone to take another breath?

Each and every day,

I have to persuade someone to fight,

I induce someone to pray.

I have to tell someone, 'It's going to be all right.'

I ask them, 'Are you pressing into Him?'

I reassure them that I'm there.

Yes, everything seems so dim and grim.

Nothing seems to be fair.

But please oh dear God, please,

You can't do this to me.

I cry out on my knees,

I sob out my silent plea.

How many times,

do I have to talk someone out of death?

How many times,

do I have to convince someone to take another breath?

I'm beginning to lose track,

Three? Six? Ten?

It hits me in the face with a smack...

At 15 years of age, I'm talking to someone again,

Asking them to not take their life,

Pleading with them, 'Don't do this.'

Asking them to put down the knife,

Saying that there still is bliss.

You have no right,

To inflict that kind of pain on someone.

You have no right,

To say, 'I'm done.'

So please, my dear friend,

A phone call I don't want to hear,

Your funeral is something I don't want to attend.

I only want you here.

You can't do this,

What about me? Do I matter?

You're like my bro or sis.

If you end it, my heart... will shatter.

So how many times,

do I have to talk someone out of death?

How many times,

do I have to convince someone to take another breath?

I can only do this so much,

What have I done wrong?

I feel I will crumble at only a soft touch,

I can do this for only so long.

Please don't leave me here,

I'm sorry if I did something bad,

Please don't disappear,

I'd be oh so sad...

But please oh dear God, please,

You can't do this to me.

I cry out on my knees,

I sob out my silent plea.