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Mental



Why are we...
Why

left on the street
to beg

Why are we...
Why

confined in prison
cells

Why are we...
Why

a fearful look
upon your face

Why are we...
Why

not mentioned
when we -die-

Why are we...
Why

too complicated
an answer to find

Why are we...
Why

lifeless bodies
in the morgue

Why are we...
Why

truly grateful
when-we-die.

Since-you-
are sane;

merciful
and humane

I thought
just maybe

you would know;
the answers
Why are we Why?

Left on
the street;

to beg, survive
and die. Cured.
*

Author notes

Contest prompt:  Why are we WHY? Poet FritzOSkinnick Music Prompt# 3

Touchy subject: the mentally ill and addicts on the street.

video/music link:

Homelessness & Mental Illness on the streets of America.

May your heart not be too cold to watch it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DFazcKuZDM&feature=related


Poet:
I have always been inspired by your poetry
and music!

May you never forget those who suffer on the street.

In  America they are growing in number.

Given their lithium and left homeless upon the streets
to beg, survive or die. A truth most of us deplore!

I love America and I know that together we will
confront these issues and find the courage
to address  truly humane & moral questions.













A contest entry

Please feel free to comment it's how we all grow!

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Comments

1 - 37 of 37

  • My Chronos gold member
    November 24
    ?
    Edit | Reply
    Wonderfully written and I think in everyone's mind except the few that are so carefree to wonder.


  • liquidmindforever gold member
    November 6

    Edit | Reply

    POIGNANT! PULLS THE SCALES FROM EYES!

    "MENTAL" IS UNABASHEDLY A CRY TO THE GREAT "I AM" WHO WAITS
    for the "ME" to lead the "I" into the Garden of Wisdom and Knowledge where
    no question of inequality re mains outside the Ring of Fraternal Brotherhood!

    I have appreciated reading "Mental" this morning. Gratitude to the Author
    for forcing the TRANCED spectator to look be neath the comfort zone!

    Respect and Honor!

    stay
    for ever
    liquid


  • Kathleen a Nazarene
    October 27

    Edit | Reply

    Oh my!

    This touched me to the core. Such a potent and powerful write with much pathos. I'm on my way to bed & now feel a bit numb. It's as if your write spoke up from the sidewalks that many of the homeless sit & sleep on. My whole body is weeping now. This is worthy of more than that HM. Bravo...I need to compose myself & pray. So much pain & suffering in this world.


  • grampabob1946 silver member
    October 25

    Edit | Reply

    I like your poem!

    The constant word "why" is a great part of this poem.
    I never advise people on how to change their poem because of the old saw:
    "tell a tale but seldom twice, give a stone before advice."
    This is your poem, all yours. Anyway you wrote it is the right way.
    I volunteer at a soup kitchen and find clothes for a shelter.
    That's the way to deal with this problem, get involved.
    For so many years I just griped about the problem.
    "Hey, they got money for bombs and guns, but no money for street people."
    If we would be more interested in helping people, both here and around the world, we could end this problem.
    Get involved, do something, it makes you feel good.


  • hughes-amanda
    October 19

    Edit | Reply
    beautiful.. such compassion.. it made me cry.. my father was homeless for a time when he was younger and it still makes me think of everyone else and i feel for them. very good!


  • SezmeKnuHart
    October 18

    Edit | Reply
    such compassion. there is no real answer to why, i suppose. but poems likes this give compassion, so why? wll i can't tell you why, but i can sure tell you it's good to have people who care, to take the burden off f why


  • LadyDementia gold member
    October 15

    Edit | Reply
    My mother has suffered with Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia all her adult life and even with help, treatment, a home, food etc it is a tough road for all concerned. For those out on the street it must be unbearable. The golden few who take time out to help are indeed special people. An excellent write. Much luck in the contest


  • PastelMoons gold member
    October 11

    Edit | Reply

    'Why are we...
    Why too complicated
    an answer to find'


    Sadly, I think the answer is pandemic apathy.
    Thank you for entering Fritz's contest
    Best wishes!

    ~Pastel


  • Freed by Mercy silver member
    October 11
    Edit | Reply
    "too complicated
    an answer to find ..."

    I have a friend who works with the homeless population as a psychiatrist. Their road to recovery depends on appropriate drug and talk therapy. Those who suffer from Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia generally need meds, the right "cocktail" for them. These meds cause side effects which range from quite annoying to deadly. People with these two illnesses often feel well or even euphoric, there is a lack of awareness of the depth of their illness. So many choose to take themselves off meds without a doctor's help, which can be disastrous. They need a network of help to turn to, to help them stay on their meds and check in with this network, help to collect the welfare or disability payments they're entitled to, help finding a suitable place to live and support services they need to stay there. All of this costs money. There are saintly people like my friend willing to help directly, but in the end, are we willing to pay the price to help the most vulnerable in our society, to the full extent they need it?

    And when will the stigma against mental illness end? When will the discrimination, the shame, the silence end? When will people realize that much of mental illness is due to a chemical imbalance, and is not demon possession or fault of our own? When will people realize it's not a lack of will power? When will people realize that the bottle, the cigarettes, the cake, the porn is used to self medicate?

    When will each of us realize that no one is better or worse than anyone else; that we're all wounded, broken, and we all bear a cardboard sign and a cup.


  • individuality gold member
    October 11

    Edit | Reply
    mental illness - why is it looked as mental - i am as mental as they come. and yet here i am throwing poetry across the face of people. fucxk to mental illness, it's all an illusion anyways.


  • csmmoms2
    October 11

    Edit | Reply

    Stunning

    Crosswalks
    Red lights
    nowhere to go

    blanket wrapped
    lost dreams
    "will work for food"

    under bridges
    out-of-the- rain

    hiding
    trying to live

    layered clothes
    can't get warm
    -c

  • towhit
    October 10

    Edit | Reply

    Cool format

    I like your presentation and format. It's a nice take on a very relevant cultural issue in America. It is open-ended, questioning. Personally, I'd like to see your own attempt to answer the question you present, though I think your perspective on the problem itself and its complexity is very interesting. Nice work. Perhaps consider tweaking the punctuation for more consistency?


  • laura0757 gold member
    October 10
    Edit | Reply
    oh yes one more thing to answer the question as to why...........my answer to this is that no body gives a shit, jon and kate and there eight are more important...lol...........why...............because everything is unjust....thats why.

  • laura0757 gold member
    October 10
    Edit | Reply
    yes one more thing..........................................I believe there are people in this world that were destined to carry the burden of other's on their backs. perhaps people cant see that....generally speaking............but I am one of those people that will...........and I do........................I figure some are not strong enough to carry them alone....so God sends out people out there to help.....and in spirit....I help carry but my hands are so tied,,,and this frustrates the being of me For those who can not speak for themselves....for the hungry that can not feed themselves. while others on our planet are gluttons.......for the meak.......for the peace lovers..............for what is right and what is wrong.....what society should shame, we blame............and blame......all we have to do is look in the mirror, and accept some resposiblitles, but I see nothing when it comes to this nothing........no progress and I have seen first hand what mental illness does..and for thirty years I have see no changes I have seen nothing. but I am suppose to give a rats ass if Ellen Degeres and so and so got married, or,,,,,,,,,,,deb and jon,,,,and their eight......I can not believe what we have degenerated too.......................so sad...........now that I have had my say I feel better,,,,,,,,,,,,,,thankyou very much.............wow.........how exilarating....


  • laura0757 gold member
    October 10

    Edit | Reply
    Oh I will comment all right, I am more than a few coments when it comes to this issue,,,,,,,,I have written several pieces concerning this problem, this is a big one for me, when I read this,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,a light went on in my head a big bright one. for I can not stand what goes on out there, how these people I call the lost and forgotten, i have a brother............who has suffered, and suffered,,,,and the family has suffered........................and if the gays thinks they need rights......and listen I am all for all kinds of rights...........but when I see more importance and moneys spent. on what I call pure 100 percents shit, this stems from sending people to the moon,,,,,,,,,,(for what how stupid) and same sex marrages, on and on,,,,,,,,how much money is spent, wasted, I have some real issues on this subject, this world of ours is a sick one..............and I can not stop talking about it either............and if I could would I fucking makes some hard core changes................amen...............................a few coments. i could fill a book............................


  • Phoenix Rising
    October 10

    Edit | Reply
    cause the system sucks and they think the answer is meds meds and more meds and that cures all. and if that dont work they lock you away. its a no win system. the only people that win are the drug companies.


  • Jayde1
    October 8

    Edit | Reply

    great

    a great poem.....
    throught this is written well
    and has a powerful theme

    a great take on the prompt

    well done for this and good luck in z contest

    Jayde


  • xXnotXbrokenXx
    October 8

    Edit | Reply
    this is very......amazing. the repetition of Why really gives it much more emotion and so much more emphasis and it makes it that much more of a powerful piece. it's amazing.


  • silverscent gold member
    October 8

    Edit | Reply
    This is a powerful piece. I like the emphasis the repetition gives.
    I think you portray some very thought provoking ideas.
    Thanks for sharing.


  • Fritz O skennick gold member
    October 7

    Edit | Reply

    Impressive work...

    Great take on the prompt...
    A truly touching piece that moved me in its depth & a subject that is very close to my heart... In the UK too, mental health sufferers are too quickly swept under the rug in the face of ignorance & intollerance... I’d go as far as to say that we are an unrecognised minority group given the fact that a quater of the population suffers from mental illness in one form or another. Saturday, 10th October is World Mental Health Day & each year it saddens me greatly that it goes by with very little media coverage coz its not deemed news worthy or of interest... I’m playing a radio gig in the morning & music/poetry festival in the evening to raise awareness... But as usual, the press aren’t interested in promoting it... Sorry I ranted for a bit there...
    Impressive work...
    Thank you so much for entering & joining me in celebration of 2 years here...
    Well done!!!


    PS: Please don’t rate comment until after judging as I’d like the entries to remain anonymous...

    • Freed by Mercy silver member
      October 11

      Edit | Reply
      You are so right! It's such BS that there is a stigma regarding mental illness, that you keep it to yourself or within your family, that you don't get help when you need it, that employers and colleges can use it against you. BULLSHIT!!! Kids are warehoused, locked down, and their care options are not explored. They do not improve, and insurance companies pay for this care. The people who need the best care get the worst.


  • Firequeen
    October 7

    Edit | Reply
    An amazing write
    WHY indeed
    This is an informative and hard hitting piece of writing on what reamains a subject too many like to dance around.
    Good luck in the contest keep the ink flowing
    fire


  • Puppydog gold member
    October 7

    Edit | Reply

    A TRULY ENLIGHTENING WRITE!!!!

    Yes, there is so much cruelty in this country when it comes to mentally and physically disabled. In my state though it is the mentally ill who get help and the physically disabled are just passed by.


  • Rose Angel gold member
    October 7

    Edit | Reply
    A poem of conscience...thought provoking issue we have in not only in America but around the world...The question...and no answers...You as always are able to evoke such emotion but your writes, my dear Grandma E...

  • tina09
    October 7
    Edit | Reply
    I ask why als


  • Roy Flynn silver member
    October 7

    Edit | Reply
    amazing, the whole time i read it, you continued to remind of the "Why?"

    it just flowed terrifically, you are really on to something here. About how poverty here is a very real thing, and we just keep it out of sight out of mind. Though its right in front of our face.

    Thank you for this wonderful inspiring piece. reat job

  • Tecohe
    October 6

    Edit | Reply

    Thoughtful piece of work here

    This is an important subject that could be dealt with through words that strike harder. It is good to show things rather than describe them sometimes. This could be a poignant write...
    Tecohe


  • SpydurPoet gold member
    October 6

    Edit | Reply
    Incredibly written, sis. You did a fantastic job, as always, with thought provoking emotions.
    Write on.
    ~*~SP~*~


  • PurpleSky
    October 6

    Edit | Reply
    This is so sad and heartbreaking. I have been homeless at one point myself and had to stay in different hotels and family but thank God I at least had that and my heart aches for those who dont. thanks for sharing this write and your heart
    huggles
    Lena


  • shattered.frisco
    October 6

    Edit | Reply
    I was holding my breath as i scrolled down!! This was...whoa baby!! I love it, and good luck in the contest...and it's great to by commetning on your work once again!!


    mylee


  • Disturbed Prodigy
    October 6

    Edit | Reply
    this is a touchy thing to talk about and i don't know what to say about it here, but you did an amazing job on this, keep it flowing


  • Andi. gold member
    October 6

    Edit | Reply
    oh wow.
    one of the saddest pieces I've read today.
    fantastic job, well done and best of luck
    ♥ dani


  • Ange de nuite
    October 6
    Edit | Reply
    Really poignant words to make you think about an issue so many people find it easy to forget. Well done


  • jessibabix33
    October 6

    Edit | Reply
    It definately brings attention to one of the large problems facing America and the people that have to struggle with this every day. It's so sad :[
    But you had a good write, nice flow. thank you for writing this.

    reviewback xx


  • pineapple-eyes gold member
    October 6
    Edit | Reply
    Most people vilify all they do not understand.


  • John BoSox
    October 6

    Edit | Reply
    Truly a wonderful tribute to these loving people, and thank you for reminding us all of their existence, and the obstacles they face every day, while we go about our business as usual for reminding me..This is who you are, and what you write about, and we are all better because of it..Thank you..Keep reminding me about isues..I look forward to it
    John


  • Stickboy gold member
    October 6

    Edit | Reply
    It is so sad seeing all the mentally ill just put on the street because society dosn't know where or what to do with them... too many times they are forced out of hospitals with no where to turn. It breaks my heart, best of luck in the contest\
    Sean

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