Tortured Soul

Across this burden  
Lie the bluest skies  
Through this haze  
That veils the kindest eyes  
You’ll find your peace  
In a roar of pain  
RIP apart our lives  
Only guilt remains  
 
Tortured soul, is this what you wanted?  
Tortured soul, is this how it ends?  
 
Can’t escape  
Darkness fills the mind  
Loose the grip  
Of the ties that bind  
You find your space  
At the end of the rope  
Silence that voice  
With the loss of hope  
 
Tortured soul, you got what you wanted  
Tortured soul, you left us here  
 
You can’t hold on  
We won’t let go  
The hurt you hide  
No one knows  
Laid to rest  
The ash and bone  
Wish you’d seen  
You were not alone  
 
Carry on, because we still care  
Carry on, because we’re still here



This piece was inspired by the recent suicide of Chester Bennington, the singer of the band Linkin Park. Initially my reaction was "Well another famous person took their life. Business as usual." The world has a knack for hardening us over the years. Over the following days I found myself gravitating towards his music and listening to it again, for the first time in a long while. In doing this I realized I had actually suffered a loss in this tragedy.  
  
Music was a huge part of my life when I was a teenager. My love for it came to me at a time when it was most needed and very well may have been instrumental in me still being on this earth today. Hybrid Theory was one of the first rock albums I had ever purchased on my own. The entire album spoke to me in ways that music never had before. The intensity of the music, the raw emotion of the lyrics were so relatable and applicable to what was occurring in my life at the time. Their music, along with a few others, was instrumental in me turning my attitude about life around. I didn't feel alone anymore because here was this group of guys singing about everything I was feeling.  
  
I never got to see him perform live in person, but I was able to watch some of Linkin Park's recorded concerts over the years. Chester had a way with the crowd. They just flocked to him, and he to them. Thousands of people singing along in unison, all of them knowing the exact feelings being poured out in the song. It was simply beautiful.  
  
The world lost a light when he decided to end his life. I can't even begin to imagine the horror his family, friends and bandmates are going through at this time. My heart is with them. Though it is probably not any comfort, I know his memory and his art will live on. Thank you Chester, for the gift of your beautiful music.

It almost seems silly to me that I would be writing so passionately about someone I have never met. We never truly realize how much people impact our lives until we actually take time to think about it. No matter who they are it is always a tragedy to lose a life to suicide. So please get help if you need it. Reach out to someone who you think might. It might just save a life.