Hello darkness, my old friend, I've come to talk with you again,

Because a vision softly creeping, Left its seeds while I was sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in my brain,
Still remains, within the sound of silence.

"Paul Simon took 6 months to write the lyrics, which are about man's lack of communication with his fellow man. He averaged one line a day." This past year, I lost two friends, whom, I truly believe, had I, or anyone, known the pain they were going through - they'd still be here today.

In restless dreams I walked alone, Narrow streets of cobblestone,
'neath the halo of a street lamp, I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night, and touched the sound of silence.

Smaller scale of silence, yet LARGE nonetheless: Marriage, friendships, employee/employer, related family members: sometime silence plays a huge role in misunderstanding... and it becomes SEEMINGLY much easier to 'wash our hands' of the relationship - rather than dig in, work together, "I'll tell you how/what I feel, then it's your turn." Sad. Happens.

And in the naked light I saw, Ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking, People hearing without listening,
People writing songs, that voices never share.
And no one dared, Disturb the sound of silence.

Not preaching, reminding (me.) Victor, you've been through depression - you know of the numbness, the inner silence with no apparent outer 'defect.' The use of "crutches" so as not to feel something. Yes, yes I do. If we suspicion depression... Then what? Suggestions?

Yes, be on their side. BE YOURSELF. Reassure. Give understanding. Offer to help, in any way that you can - and follow through if you're taken up on that. Try to spend time with them and supportive friends and in re-vitalizing activities.

"Fools" said I, "You do not know, Silence like a cancer grows.
Hear my words that I might teach you, Take my arms that I might reach you."
But my words like silent raindrops fell,
And echoed, In the wells of silence.

Learn everything you can about clinical depression. Participate.. a movie.. a walk.. going out for lunch, dinner. Offer to run errands. Do step back occasionally, but resist the common urge to stay "arm's length". Worst possible thing we can do. No, understanding, relating, jumping in their shoes hard, difficult, tummy-churning, but - very much worth it. Scroll to top, two who are no longer here that I really believe could be. Stay in touch. Communicate with others in this person's network.

And the people bowed and prayed, To the neon god they made.
And the sign flashed out its warning, In the words that it was forming.
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls." and whisper'd in the sounds of silence.

Look around. There's depression. From the very young, to the very aged. Some, easy to detect, others - not so much. Candidates: Teens, men, women, widows, parent's whom have lost a child, soul surviving nuclear family members, a friend, a coworker. It's out there. We can help. (I strongly advise Googling 'how to help those with depression', read further on how you can help, what you can do.. along with WHAT NOT TO DO/SAY.) Thanks for reading, loveya, Victurd.