The Emotional Orphan

Once we’ve strayed ;

stepped out of the queue

to the slaughterhouse

or crossed the || borders of

respectably imposed standards and expectations

like outlaws,

survivors,

rebels,

the abused or

disenfranchised

free thinkers will do…

 

We are all

psych patients

 

waiting for a bed.

 

A timeshare vacation

in an outpatient clinic,

 

where after a crisis intervention

and a hospital bed awaits

complete with seat-belts

for your hands,  and

a button to push —>>>

in emergencies.

 

For 72 hours max

electricity stimulates

                                                          right thinking.

face – framed,

with cottoned and gelled temples

 

the voices telling us to rebel

__________are

_____________quieted.

 

Sleep comes easier -

 

No dreams are allowed-

 

at the whim of the staring bobble head

making notes,

while visiting for 5 minutes,

 

not bothering with hellos, or intros

 

charging two hundred an hour

plus frequent flier miles

from the pfizer pharmacopia

flavor of the week referral bonus program.

 

Our differences lie in how much

self medication works.

Is it taken as we prescribe?

Is it taken as it is given?

 

Co-payments

determine treatment outcome

and rehab success likelihood.

 

Relapse potential is judged by the

the tell all,  infallible criteria

of available aftercare visits

or reimbursements.

 

See the DSM IV for more.

Pick a number.

Add to the list if need be.

 

Is a lovers touch

like a spike in the crook of an arm,

leaving a droplet on the sleeve

that we sometimes wear

what is left of our heart on?

 

Do we stare at a blue screen,

getting poisoned

by a weapon of mass destruction

while simply looking for an answer or escape?

 

If it lasts more than four hours

or you have thoughts of suicide

call your Dr.

Some Dr.

Any Dr.

With the Insurance Company approval code.

 

Just to be safe.

 

Now THERE is a side effect for you.

 

Do we chase an almighty dollar

always too fast to be based in gold or reality?

Shall we call that investing in the future?

 

Shall we take the treasure to Vegas

because what is spent there stays there?

 

Maybe we just trade the coins

for crack or heroin instead?

Isn’t it less risk ?

 

At least it’s honest.

 

Almost understandable.

 

And floating cheaper

than a barrel of foreign oil.

Never spilled in the Gulf.

 

On balance it creates lots of jobs.

 

The lunatics are on the grass.

The lunatics are on the grass.

 

But I never aspired to landscaping,

and it is a very tough job to do

with my sleeves tied behind my back.