Julie

Julie never went to prom 
she chose her dress
but never tried it on,
she’d keep her fears
scratched on her arm,
a constant reminder
of her self-harm, 
for years she’s 
kept it a secret,
if only she knew
I could help her treat it,
I know she’s scared
of intervention, 
there’s been so many
times that I hoped she’d
mention, all the pain 
she harbors deep inside,
but when I ask she denies,
insisting that 
there’s nothing wrong,
I wish she wouldn’t 
remain so strong,
there’s a bravery in honesty, 
a spoken truth
I can’t define,
if only I could tell her 
that everything will be fine,
three years have passed 
since she gave up hope,
I found Julie hanging 
from a rope, 
she’d left a note
folded on her bed
“I’m sorry, I thought 
I’d be better off dead’