BENNY'S HELLHOLE 1971

[dadio]

The skinny nurse
was on duty today
alongside the brunette
with the beauty spot.

Big Sid
brought breakfasts
into the lounge
after making sure
both doors
were locked.

The radio played
pop music all day
with the usual chatter
in between.

The skinny nurse
brought around
the medication
each in little tubs
for each of us.

Yiska stood
by the window
watching the snow.

I stood beside her
watching it drift
heavily on fields
and trees
a tractor ploughed
a field beyond
gulls followed in
its track.

Yiska asked me
how I was.

I said
pissed off
waiting for
the ECT.

She said
she was too
hated it gave her
headache.

Me too
I said.

I wondered how
my mother
was coping
in the snow drift
how my siblings
were getting
to school.

Yiska's hand
held mine
it was soft and warm.

What time is
the psychiatrist coming?
Yiska asked
the skinny nurse.

Later
the nurse said
a mindful
of information.

I sensed
the bandaged
about Yiska's wrist
where she'd slit it
a few days ago.

We stood
by the window
watching the snow.

[cmoore]

I remember a girl I was head over heels over in 67'
her parents put her in a place called Bellview i think it was called,
for awhile, this poem reminded me of her.

[dadio]

Thank you. i hope the girl was ok after.