Breathtaking Suicide

     The limited quantity of words utilized by MacLeish in his poem "Suicide's Note" does not hinder its depth and profoundness. The entire poem is only twelve words in length: "The calm,/ Cool face of the river/ Asked me for a kiss." These three lines are so powerful because they convey a sentiment of relaxation and beauty to a topic as morbid as suicide. A silent image is formed in the minds of the audience upon reading the poem. We can envision a person walking down to the river's edge, viewing their reflection in the river, and then becoming swept away by the current. In addition, I placed the speaker in a cool, brisk morning; as he approaches the water, he lingers by the edge, looking knowingly into the stream before becoming enveloped by the water. The entrance into the water is a safe and peaceful environment for the speaker. The gruesome act of committing suicide is lined in beautiful terms, creating a conflict within the reader regarding thier sentiments towards the speaker's actions. The repetition of the 'ka' sound through "calm," "cool," and "kiss" creates a poetic and enchanting lust to the poem. However, readers crave a happy ending and want the speaker to contemplate and reject their suicidal actions. The audience is torn because they want the speaker to refuse the kiss, but at the same time the majesty and serenity of the scene allows the reader to comprehend the speaker's outlook. In twelve simple words, MacLeish is able to create a calming poem revolving a depressing topic, conflicting the reader between the beauty and horror of suicide.