NEXT STOP

an airtight smile
loiters on her
empty face.

at first it transfixes
then perplexes
the beholder.

she sits amidst crowded pews
listening to closing doors
and bells of departures
compelled to run away
from an eventual past.

a phantom destiny
lies beyond this
foreclosed present.

armed with valuable nothings
she chooses a car to anywhere
as a random map unfolds
to unknown destinations.

ferries and trains
or the kindness of strangers
there's always some place else to go.

but there is solace
in the usual haunt
away from pursuers
away from the rain.

bed and breakfast
and little yellow pills
from the men in white coats
who know her so well.

she goes through the motions
she's been there before
til she gladly leaves
for the next destination.

Reviews

[Not Your Typical New Yo..]

This poem seems so surreal and it actually makes the reader think! And you leave off the ending to let the reader choose her fate. Nicely done.

[Igor G. Balatsky]

'there's always some place else to go': sounds hopeful. yet hopelessness is the burden here. freedom is when you know destination. but can we escape from ourselves? perfect writing: it touches me deeply.

[Dr. Wood ?]

wonderful poem...And even I remember impressing my schoolfriends with antidisestablishmentarianism

[Zoe_N.]

good poem with an air of mystery..

and an open ending.. like the readers are to decide what will happen..
=) nice one

[Becky C Strukamp]

Wonderful story telling here, I so agree with Allen!

[Kenneth The Poet]

So very true.

[Allen Smuckler]

I loved the way you told this story MB,...3rd person...not really knowing who you are talking about...but the realization that it can be anyone of us... and often is.
you described mental illness with the apt use of metaphors and imagery.
An emotional, honest, sincere write MB
Well Done

[John Jackson (El Juero)]

Thank you for the tour of a room with padded walls. The mental health community is ever flying under the radar, 'cause most of the clients are muted by those little yellow pills.
Excellent poetry.

[Everett DeValle]

Lovely...such a profound write....its like a doctors visit...yet I love the thought process of this venture and the aftermath. Excellent write, MB.

[eatmills]

an airtight smile
loiters on her
empty face.

Loved the opening stanza, found it captivating in it's imagery. Well written, enjoyed the flow and the narrative.