“I Asked My Son to Write a Note”

I asked my son to write a note before he up and leaves
the next safe place called rehab, the next 3-day reprieve
I told him he could make it small, a folded little square
I said “Will you please write this down and keep it safe somewhere?”
I said to write my name and his, my number clear to see
Make sure to write “Please call my mom if you have just found me.”
Make more than one, make several, for I am asking you
to fold them up and tuck them in your shirt, your pants, your shoe –
To you this is hell on earth that I can’t stand to see
But waiting for the calls to STOP is what’s been plaguing me.
So please, I beg, just write the note so I can at least know
that when they find your body in the park, bench, ditch or snow
when this stranger finds you huddled up and all alone
He’ll see an addict lying there, pathetic, with no home.
But when he looks and finds that note, I hope it helps him see
You’re more than that to someone else, MUCH more than that to me.