At the Edge

I've seen people who were in between

Five steps from walking out the door

And yet asking for a reason to stay

I've talked them down from that ledge

And over the years

I've realized how truly close some of them were

And quite how far others were as well

I've experienced first hand what kind of cards their demons played

What taunted them in the dark, cold midnights

I've seen myself get that close

As close as my friends were in the past

As close as I would allow myself

And maybe a step or two closer than that

Back then,

I knew they had me

And I never wondered if they knew they had me

But now I do wonder

I wonder if those kids, 

Lost,

Lonely, 

Thrown into the darkness of their own mind,

Knew they had friends in the world

Knew they had light

Knew things would get better, or even had the thought

I wonder how well they coped

I wonder how they got off that ledge

If it was really me

Or if it was something else

Was it the fact that they,

while being so close,

Were still too close to life?

Were still too willing to live?

To see that future that they didn't believe in?

Was it just a bout of luck?

A lost lighter, a shaky hand?

Everyone is different

We aren't 12 anymore

I can't assume that I saved them

I was their hero

All I can hope is that they're okay

They're alive

Because one day,

Far away or so close,

Maybe someone will need them

And maybe they'll be able to help