Officer Susan Lawson (In Loving Memory) Poem by GK Talabi

Via WhatsApp is how I heard
In disbelief I re-read every single word
"This certainly can't be true" I thought,
Susan Lawson would do nothing of the sort,
I questioned the sender of the message of course,
And the sad news was confirmed from a reliable source.
Miss Lawson, bright, bubbly, professional, reliable,
Sympathetic, empathetic and indefatigable.
Now a WhatsApp message is telling me you died
Telling me it was death by suicide!

Why would Susan Lawson do such a thing?
She overflowed with the joys of spring.
Filled with the milk of human kindness, it's true,
At Brixton prison it was a joy working with you.
Described by everyone as a wonderful colleague,
Dispensing your duties without a trace of fatigue.
And I still have the pen you gave me
Which would now be kept under lock and key.
A memorial to a life that has gone too soon,
May your beautiful soul Rest in Peace Susan Lawson.
My condolence to all the loved ones that you left,
Heaven has gained an angel and earth is now bereft

Dear reader, no one knows what goes on in a person's mind,
Please try and treat people respectfully and kind,
It's the least we can do.
For we know not what someone is going through.
A happy, smiley face can hide a broken and troubled heart,
That cheerful co-worker could be inwardly falling apart.
If you are in a dark place and looking for a way out
Please have the courage to give the Samaritans a shout.
They are trained individuals with a listening ear,
Available 365 days in a year.
In the United Kingdom their telephone number is free
Please call the Samaritans on 116-123

R.I.P

Officer.S. Lawson