emergency room

insomnia

A.D.D.

B.D.D.

O.C.D.

restless leg syndrome,

the staggers,

the bends

intense paranoia

with agoraphobi-

a-cute hypochondriac

(slitting his wrists)

delusions of grandeur

(with missives in hand -

or in mouth, either one

is as equally thick)

ulcers and pantomime

heart-attack scare,

the weight of dried blood

in my hair,

on my fists,

in my head, it's all happening

right then and there,

am i mad..

or am i just alone,

making lists?

Reviews

[Bertie]

A great write...The staccato feel to this adds to the almost panic-y feel...It feels like someones brain right on the edge of a mania, and unfortunately for them they're in an er room...I've always found A&E such an interesting place, I once sat inane for 2 1/2 hours for research purposes and it it's highly emotive and volatile, there's a lot of fear, a lot of pain and a lot of anger...I like the move from the third to last line and then the final two...it's both confused but also bitter and really gives the poem that knife sharp edge that it has...You're writing reminds me quite a lot of Richard Siken's, if you get the chance read anything from his collection 'Crush' I think perhaps you'd really enjoy it ! :) Well done this is a great poem and I will be back to review more !

[James William Dyer]

I liked this a lot. An ER for the psyche, or as the commentor below put, the soul. Nice rhythm, and those last two lines tied it together perfect. Glad I read this.

[DrD]

The inventory of what man brings upon himself is staggering and there should be an emergency room for the soul. You have captured the theme well and I enjoyed this greatly.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

one thing i like about this is the separation....there is almost a third person feel until the end...then it is all about me...am i alone? or is that other personality, that other crazy self making me do this?

i have some of these...especially the restless leg syndrome...i also think i have restless mind syndrome...and it keeps me often from sleeping.