The Hopkins Doctor Diagnoses Me by Ann Bracken
The Hopkins psychiatrist glances up at me,
then looks at my chart.
“I remember the first time—and the second—when the depression lifted
I felt like a party girl.”
How long did that last?
“A couple of days…three, maybe.”
That’s a couple of days too long.
You have all the signs of bipolar II.
Third Eye by Katarina Bucic
A secret city exists in your mind, where left brain and right brain bind. In the center of your eyes, but hidden behind, where your consciousness is aligned. The source of awareness for mankind
Word Salad, or You’re a Fool, Doctor, and an Insult to My Intelligence by...
I found meaning
where it was all along
in the living of this moment
the breathing of this breath
the pictures in my mind
in my view of the world
The Killing of Susan Kelly by Dorothy Dundas
The dark-suited man slithered,
Shock box in hand,
To our bedsides, four girls, innocent, naked,
Waiting….waiting….waiting,
Sticky-headed,
One by one.
An American SHAMe by Marci Webber
There was never “an American dream”
Only a nightmare, so it seems.
Such an innocent girl full of belief
In a country from which she now seeks relief.
It is January 20th by Jessica Lowell Mason
The doctor is calling.
She says to you,
without saying,
tell me what I want
to hear,
verify the hastiness
of all my generalizations,
the quick imprecise
diagnoses
and the bias-based
confirmations,
Do Not Swallow the Pill by Anonymous
Do not swallow the pill, This condensed mass of powder That the world has convinced you Will “fix” you, your “problematic” self My darling, you are not broken You are not lost, you are not crumpled You are merely a being living In a society, in a culture That you were never meant to be forced into
Fired for the Truth by Dr. Karan R Gregg Aggarwala
Just yesterday evening they let us know you were gone
Joanne the plans they made for you
Did not go through
The job description just did not...
I WON by Atara Schimmel
i attended your funeral today
in fact i was
the
one
yes, won
that organized it
I Will Fight for You by Atara Schimmel
she
is the one
that i want
the one that
i love
she fights
for justice
like a wild cat
fighting for her cub
fangs and claws
because freedom is everything
Psychotic Akathisia by Marci Webber
This thing that stirs can’t be overcome.
It starts like a steady, aching hum
The labels… by Clare-Star Knighton
I’m peeling off the labels, The adjustment disorders, the bipolar disorder,
I’m peeling off the labels, the borderline - the avoidant - the emotionally unstable personality disorders.
I’m peeling off the labels, to find ME, MEEEE that’s hidden.under.all.these.labels!
Letting Go by Ashleigh
Let go, Of all that shit, That is holding you back. Let go of fear, Let go of uncertainty, Let go of anger, Let the unpredictable be just that, Unpredictable. Let go of your need for control of things you cannot control, Hold on to your truths.
The Greatest Pain of All by Sandy Lunøe
It hurts, the medicine,
which turns you into a robot,
taking away your power
to question,
bringing you to silence
But the greatest pain of all
is not to be...
Statistics for the Social Sciences by Miriam Barr
I had this idea I could join the system
and change it from the inside
but you can’t join the system
and not join the system
Credo by Sarah Walker
A statement about grief, art, existence and “madness”
Jump Start by Jyl Anais
The professionals act like the theft of half my life was no big deal because they didn't mean to.
Quite Insane by Laurie Corzett
I am quite insane, I speak in rhyme that often doesn't, expecting to find reason. I live in a world of ritual and season.
A Therapeutic Environment by Ann Bracken
I bring a small basket of flowers for my friend in the psych unit, the nurse buzzes me in. She silently yanks the plastic card-holder, then chides me, It has a pointy end. My friend tells me later, “No one gets flowers here.”
Doctor Do-Little by Eva Buchholz
Why little? Belittle? Do little? Do little harm! I'm wishing for a doctor who does little Little enough Enough little little
Wasted by Darcey Ewing-Segers
The ugly blackbird came back It survived I did not pound it hard enough It has come for me Its talons are sharpened, ready to repay
Fuck You by T.O. Walker
I won't be The right type Of victim. I won't be the Quiet type Of victim.
Blossom by Ashleigh
To be beautiful.
What is that?
What does that mean?
Size two, toned, tan, and ready and waiting
Ready for what?
Waiting for who?
The prince charming promised in all...
Transform by Ashleigh
Fear is running our lives. Fear of being different. Fear of being inadequate. Fear of being not good enough.
Death Valley Dreaming by Laura Smith-Riva
The wind howls across the spine of shale and abraded rock ridgelines where Sentinels stand tall in the twilight, Gods watching the story of the desert night unfold.
