His Verse Ended Abruptly

Like the rest of the world I saw that Robin Williams not only died, he committed suicide today. I find his death affects me more than I would have guessed. I'm crying.

I have life-long relationship with Robin Williams. One of the earliest gifts I remember getting was a Mork action figure and egg ship. His A Night at the Met album was the first and only album my father took away from me for being too "adult." My high school friends and I created a poetry club based on Dead Poets Society. While my immediate circle of friends has changed over the years, each group has spent time watching Robin Williams films. And, perhaps most importantly, the first pair of naked breasts I ever remember seeing was in The World According to Garp when my age was still in single digits.

Yes, I'm actually crying over him. Not because he died, but because he killed himself. Because I also have a lifelong relationship with depression. What makes this so confusing is that at some of the worst times of my life his work helped get me through it. I keep wondering who made him laugh? Or more to the point, who did reach out to for laughter?

I know I shouldn't take his death to heart, but I took his life to heart, so why not this too?

For him, I offer this, The Clown's Prayer:

As I stumble through this life,
help me to create more laughter than tears,
dispense more cheer than gloom,
spread more cheer than despair.

Never let me become so indifferent,
that I will fail to see the wonders in the eyes of a child,
or the twinkle in the eyes of the aged.

Never let me forget that my total effort is to cheer people,
make them happy, and forget momentarily,
all the unpleasantness in their lives.

And in my final moment,
may I hear You whisper:
"When you made My people smile,
you made Me smile."

-Anonymous-