The air is drenched in vacancy.
I heel-toe my way into the building,
hands stuff inside my pockets.
It's dark outside; listless
nightwalkers prowl the streets
with cigarettes in their mouths.
I shuffle inside.
The building's warmer than the city.
A young girl and mother
patiently wait for the arrival
of the elevator.
The elevator pings; I punch in
the floor number I want to reach
and wait.
I feel myself rock back and forth,
eyes nervously averted to the floor.
I finally reach my destination
and scan the halls for the room.
I enter.
He's in the far corner of the visiting area,
eyes blank, mind numbed by pills.
I slowly and quietly trot over
to him and give him a friendly wave
and my best Barbie doll smile.
"Hi, Nate," I whisper, trembling slightly.
I can't take my eyes off of
the bandages covering his wrist.
Author notes
Nate is a friend, but I changed his name to protect him.
Please tell me what you think.
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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This was a really powerful poem. It's harder spending any time in the psych ward at all. I know from being a patient there so many times, what a scary, traumatizing place it can be. It was interesting looking through some one elses eyes at what it would be like to visit one of them.
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wow.
intense.
great job hunni, this is stunning.
i love the way you worded it. great imagery too.
He's in the far corner of the visiting area,
eyes blank, mind numbed by pills.
I slowly and quietly trot over
to him and give him a friendly wave
and my best Barbie doll smile.
"Hi, Nate," I whisper, trembling slightly.
I can't take my eyes off of
the bandages covering his wrist.
flawless. -
Now that is definitely sad/intense. I've had a friend attempt suicide before. It's definitely no fun trying to carry out a conversation with them while they're in the hospital, especially if they're on any happy pills. I like the brutality of your honesty, as well as your choice of words. Very good and I wish both you and "Nate" the best.
♥ Faye
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wow...dats really sad...yet so so true...my bf and i both used to cut...i still think about it from time to time...but nice poem
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Sad poem. I'm sure your friend really appreciates your visits. The majority of the patients that I've seen don't have family or friends to visit. Your friend is lucky to have you. Nice poem.
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