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Apr 2014
You must have been in a place so dark
You couldn't feel the light
Reachin' for you through that stormy cloud
Now here we are
Gathered in our little hometown
This can't be the way you meant to draw a crowd

Oh why, that's what I keep asking
Was there anything I could've
Said or done
Oh, I had no clue you were
Masking
A troubled soul, God only knows
What went wrong and why
You would leave the stage
In the middle of a song

Now in my mind I'll keep you frozen
As a seventeen-year-old
Rounding third to score the
Winning run
You always played with passion
No matter what the game
When you took the stage
You'd shine just like the sun

Oh why, that's what I keep asking
Was there anything I could've
Said or done
Oh, I had no clue you were
Masking
A troubled soul, God only knows
What went wrong and why
You would leave the stage
In the middle of a song

Now the oak trees are swaying
In the early autumn breeze
A golden sun is shining on my face
Through tangled thoughts
I hear a mockingbird sing
This old world really ain't that
Bad of a place


Oh why, there's no comprehending
And who am I to try to
Judge or explain
Oh, but I do have one
Burning question

Who told you life wasn't
Worth the fight
They were wrong, they lied
Now you're gone and we cry
'Cause it's not like you to
Walk away
In the middle of a song


Your beautiful song
Your absolutely beautiful song
"Why?" by Rascal Flatts is about a teenage boy who took his own life. The boy must have been in a dark place with his mind and emotions, but never showed them until it was too late. The man who is singing this repeadedly asks the question "Why?", meaning, *why would you want to take your life so soon?, why didn't you ask for help?, why would you leave the stage in the middle of your beautiful song?*
towards the end, the man says "This old world really ain't that bad of a place", he is absolutely correct. This world isn't bad, at all. Then he asks a question that makes the audience think: "Who told you life wasnt worth the fight? They were wrong, they lied. Now you're gone, and we cry"

I recited this piece for  speech competition two years ago and left the entire room in tears. My score did not matter to me, I simply wanted to get the message across. If you are experiencing depression, or any "dark place" PLEASE talk to somebody. I have had my share of dark times, but I promise it can get better in the end. I am more than happy if you would want to talk to me! :) Just message me and we will talk. :)

R.I.P.... T.S. and T.B. <3 See you soon my brothers.
Erin Hankemeier
Written by
Erin Hankemeier
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