It was the day before Christmas
And all through the house
Not a word could be heard
Over the sound of a helicopter
Landing in the cul-de-sac.
It was a Life Flight helicopter painted white.
The neighbor, a thoracic surgeon
Had shot himself,
Despite his mother and three teenage children
Imploring him to stop.
He did stop.
Stop his life
With one bullet to the head.
One year later to the day,
The doctor's girlfriend returned,
Stood at the curb,
And sobbed for ten body racking minutes,
Returned to her car
And drove away.