On the ninth anniversary of your death – If only ………. Sally

If only you had not died so young.
If only I could have saved you.
If only I could rewind the clock.
If only I could hear your voice.
If only I could see you smile.
If only I could speak with you.
If only we could laugh together.
If only I could spend one more day with you.
If only you were here to share family milestones.
If only you were here today.

If only they had been competent mental health practitioners.
If only they had acknowledged and acted on your acute distress.
If only they had taken the advice of colleagues who knew you well.
If only they had listened to me or told us when your life was in danger.
If only they had treated you with kindness, dignity and respect.
If only they had possessed one shred of humanity.
If only the outcome of that final assessment had not been pre-determined.
If only they had not been ignorant and prejudiced.
If only they had listened to the protestations of the police.
If only the ambulance had not taken 99 minutes to arrive.

If only they had learned anything from your negligent death.
If only they had the capacity for reflection and remorse.
If only they had a conscience.
If only they had told the truth.
If only people mattered more than organisational reputation.
If only they understood the catastrophic consequences of their neglect.
If only they could experience your pain or the pain of our loss.
If only so many others had not subsequently suffered a similar fate.
If only there were not others alive today yet to suffer at their hands.
If only ………. Sally.