The Attempt

I’d decided that I’d drown myself

And waded from the shore,

If I had to live without you

I would want to live no more,

For you’d shouted that you’d done with me,

There was no second chance,

Though I’d loved and thought you needed me

You ended our romance.

They had said it was more pleasant than

A gunshot to the chest,

That you’d slowly drift away, and

Wouldn’t leave quite such a mess,

And I didn’t fancy dying from

A bullet in the head,

It would spoil the later viewing

Even though I would be dead.

I could always cut my throat, I thought,

To make you scream and shout,

For my blood would stain your carpet

You would never get it out,

But I thought it might be painful for

That thirty second bleed,

And at best, I’m quite the coward,

It was pain I didn’t need.

So I came in my depression to

The shingle on the shore,

And I watched the massive breakers

As the tide came in once more,

Then it struck me, it was easy

All I had to do was wade,

Way on out to deeper water where

My body could be laid.

I’d be caught by undercurrents,

Taken right out by the rip,

Would be sucked right down and drowned on this

My final deadly trip,

So I pushed on out and waded there,

And pushed against the tide,

Though I wouldn’t be quite honest if

I didn’t say I cried.

Every time I made a hundred yards

The breakers took me in,

As if the white capped rollers wouldn’t

Help me in my sin,

They were thrusting me back shoreward

Every time I tried to turn,

Until I was exhausted

And I found I couldn’t drown.

Then I staggered from the water and

I fell upon my face,

And I thought your voice was calling

Till I looked and saw you, Grace,

You were holding out a towel while 

You stood and caught your breath,

Then you said, ‘Get dry, and come back home,

It’s cold, you’ll catch your death.’

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

A perfect ending to this tale. You made me smile. Thank you for sharing the excellent tale David. I liked this one.
Coyote

[TPK Stories]

Tragic read David but a good read

[Pragati Chaudhary]

My god! I thought it was a truly sad poem :-P
Hahahah
You write the thoughts so neatly and carved
I imagined each line as if I was there at the Sea watching

[Gejodi]

First time reading your poems...I see you are well seasoned so i wont point out grammar in For you’d shouted that you’d done with me, I enjoyed the poem and the comedy in the tragedy. Nicely penned

[Barbz]

I Love this poem and have a different take on it.......because I am always focussed on your "spin".I think he couldn't take his life because he knew she couldn't live without him!! Barbz

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

This lacks your normal fluidity and ease of reading. Rather it seemed choppy like those ocean waves. I think we've all had such thoughts at one time or another, and it was always grace that saved us. I always enjoy you.

[Einstein Noodle]

oh what a wench! come back and get some more maybe .. poor boy! poor old heart bounced like a toy ball ... but i'm glad the sea spit him back...perhaps he'll see it as fate and if she truly takes in ... well... another fine adventure may begin eh!? i love to see you have posted sir..a pure fun joy to read your rhymes and rhythm always..never disappointed .. not once!
E.