The painting "River Crossing"
and this poem, "Cherly's Jump"
was written in memory of Cheryl Lee Gould
4 March 1995 – 29 March 2002

Cheryl's Jump
by Dorothy Riggs
19 March 2002

She jumped
Without a rope
To free herself.
The decision
We all hated,
Ended her pain
Giving it to us instead.
We carry it now
While she is gone.
We try to.
We cry the river
That swept her
Away from us
Forever
That fateful day
She left us
Behind and broken
"Don't do it" unspoken.
How could you?
Why did you?
I miss you!
I'll try
to forgive you.