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Born Poets :: Poetry :: Karl--formal and Eastern :: The Quiet Room of the Psychiatric Ward--1982
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AuthorTopic: The Quiet Room of the Psychiatric Ward--1982 (Read 114 times)
karl
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The Quiet Room of the Psychiatric Ward--1982
« Thread Started on Jun 29, 2006, 9:31pm »		[Quote]
The Quiet Room of the Psychiatric Ward--1982.
by Glen Bagshaw

They all plunged right in, plunged into
"The Quiet Room". The crazie first,
wild, freed from hell by miracle--
or was he? Insane was his thirst
to tear out of the new restraint,
to fling it, as rope is made loose,
setting a wave of sprung coil free,
when torn from wrapper, for a noose.
Quite fitting, for with one side out
the three burlier men slammed him down.
All were streaked in blood, stained in blood.
One kicked him with all he could own
of hate and force; again and again.
The two other orderlies then took
each arm with a chorus of curses.
Just old Doc Henniger could look
placid, wall-framed for thirty years.
From the floor the devil--something
of "Christ's forgiveness" screamed; as if
he'd know! A hard, last kick would fling
his head back. Vile froth drooled from lips
pooling with blood. He lay quiet;
now calm, as he would always be.
Gone, dead the tempestuous riot
and heavy sedation blanked me out.
Glory to drugs that spare the rod!
Thank you, yes, dear physicians, thanks!
Here oblivion beats old God!
« Last Edit: Jun 30, 2006, 2:17am by Rainbowthreads »Link to Post - Back to Top  IP: Logged
nightwatch
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Re: The Quiet Room of the Psychiatric Ward--1982
« Reply #1 on Jun 30, 2006, 2:27pm »		[Quote]
Well I voted for this one. I know its a bit brutal but its also very real and the language is fantastic. I really liked this.

Steve.
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Re: The Quiet Room of the Psychiatric Ward--1982
« Reply #2 on Jun 30, 2006, 2:59pm »		[Quote]
The fact that you changed "he" to "me" still haunts me long after I first read this. It is very brutal yet I have worked in an EMI environment, where only the most mentally ill of elderly patients are cared for and I know that every day is fraught with danger for both staff and patients alike. To me, it was the most fearful experience of my life. Last line needs a comma after here, by the way but there are probably more punctuation changes needed...I just find it quite traumatic even to read....which shows it is a powerful write, Glenn.
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glennbagshaw
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Re: The Quiet Room of the Psychiatric Ward--1982
« Reply #3 on Jul 1, 2006, 3:20pm »		[Quote]
Yes Steve and RT--it's not a very pleasant poem. I thank you both for the kind compliments. Much appreciated!
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Re: The Quiet Room of the Psychiatric Ward--1982
« Reply #4 on Jul 6, 2006, 3:17pm »		[Quote]
Hi, Glenn,

another terrific offering from your pen - the starkness of the language adds to the sense of reality and 'old Doc Henniger' really adds credibility. The switch to 'me' adds another dimension, was this a witness to the beating or the crazie himself? Perhaps an occurrence of schizophrenia eased by the drugs? Loved the last 3 line, though might have lost the penultimate one to leave the reader with the couplet; almost as a motto for asylums.
Jim
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glennbagshaw
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Re: The Quiet Room of the Psychiatric Ward--1982
« Reply #5 on Jul 7, 2006, 8:34pm »		[Quote]
HI JIm!

Thank you for your remarks. The "me" is actually suppose to be a witness. I also think you're right about the concluding lines. Cheers!
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Re: The Quiet Room of the Psychiatric Ward--1982
« Reply #6 on Feb 24, 2009, 12:24pm »		[Quote]
Very thought provoking and a write to stay in ones blood. Good write, you.
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