Three digits glow in the dark,
a lifeline whispered through static—
not a number, but a breath
caught before the fall.
Some nights, silence is a weight.
You press the phone to your chest,
feeling its pulse like your own,
unsure who will speak first—
you, or the trembling air.
“Are you safe right now?”
a voice gentler than dawn asks,
and something in you unknots.
Not fixed, not finished—
but seen.
Outside, the streetlights hum.
Inside, you count each inhale
as proof that you stayed.
Somewhere, another call rings—
another heart steadies.
And in the hush between
what almost ended
and what begins again,
you remember:
help is three digits away.
-
Author:
Matthew R. Callies (
Offline) - Published: October 16th, 2025 16:52
- Comment from author about the poem: For context, unlike 911 in the US or 999 in the UK, which are for general emergencies, 988 is the suicide hotline in the US.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 7
Offline)
Comments2
In the USA it 911 I forgot what it is here in Brazil but it seems that each country has their own. Well written Matthew
988 is the suicide hotline in the US
Didn't know though I have lived most of my life there. Nicely done
Very important message! Well done!
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