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I am alive
Poetry, Music & Art

“I am Alive” Dan Pallotta’s 2002 Out of the Darkness Speech

“I may have lost my brother, my sister, my parent, my child, my friend, my spouse, my partner … but I am alive.

I am a survivor of the dark night of unspeakable loss, of my own darkness … and I am alive.

I am unwilling to stand idly by and allow shame to defeat love or silence to defeat action. I stand for the enlightenment of a society that would hide from suicide … and I am alive.

I am unwilling for my perseverance to be in vain. Unwilling for the passing of my loved one to be in shame. I loved them more than I loved myself and their life will have meaning in my action. I am alive.

In a world blinded by the pursuit of pleasure, I am here to say that people are in pain. In a world rushing to get ahead, I am here to say that people are being left behind. In a world obsessed with the value of the market, I am here to speak for the value of life … and I’m alive.

This will be no quiet fight.

I am the voice of audacity in the face of apathy.

I am the spirit of bravery in a world of caution.

I am a commitment of action in the face of neutrality.

I am into the light and I am alive.”