Ten-Finger Exercises

How do we respond?

I am sometimes alarmed by what I read as I look over a few newbies and oldies each day at this site.

How often the images are of, as one poet put it, lifting the hypothetical revolver to his head!

Intense pain in the soul--yes, that's put the pen in my hand on many an occasion.

When people tell me about that pain in person, I have some sense of how lethal it is. On the phone, at least we're still connected. But on paper, it's frightening!

How long ago did you feel like that! Did writing help keep you from acting on the feelings in other ways? Where are you now? How are you?

What would happen if you called the prayer hot line and no one answered? The crisis line, and you were put on hold?

How do I dare read one of those without asking, Are you okay? Are you alone? Can I help?