'Catching Flies'

There is more truth here than many of you might think. It was hot and dusty too

Catching Flies

 

The girl they call Tomorrow

Had already drawn fresh blood

Before I could reach her

 

Her yelling and her screaming

Served only to further un-nerve

The recently admitted

 

Whereas those who had been around forever

Continued on as normal

Whatever that should mean

 

The compound heaved and swarmed

With moving shapes and figures

Like Walking Dead

 

Shoulders hunched mouths wide open catching flies

Those drug induced clenched jaws

Deny the hungry and deluded of coherent speech

 

Those eyes red, vacant, terrified and remote

Give no clue whatsoever to the cause

Of any individual or collective pain

 

Nevertheless the fact remains the girl

They call Tomorrow

Had drawn fresh blood again

…

 

 

Author's Note

There is an argument that suggests if you close your eyes, it might go away. Believe me, it does not go away

Reviews

[Ken Simm.]

I can see the places like this. Damn it I can almost smell the places like this. That is what makes this such a poem. A poem of experience and misery both for the protagonists and the onlooker. You cannot walk away from such experiences unmoved.

[Neville]

Thank you Ken.. my daughter Bex and I plan on returning to Tanka Tanka next year maybe when she has completed her degree..... Neville

[Crowley]

Damn dude, this is an amazing write. A sad situation described in hard hitting reality. I really, really......really liked this. that last paragraph stings.

[Neville]

thank you sir... these words were originally motivated by some of my experiences gained while volunteering at the Tanka Tanka psychiatric hospital in West Africa where I hope to return maybe next year, or the year after..... Neville

[Crowley]

That must be some experience. Hope you make it back, they could use the likes of you from what it looks like!

[Neville]

I hope so too my friend... cheers... N

[barleygirl]

This feels like the analyst's version of going psycho. You know I'm trying to heat things up for a Halloween macabre fest here at the Café & why wouldn't I expect you to approach this genre differently than anyone else? At first, I didn't recognize the creepy connection. I was just thinking I'm glad you never analyzed ME & then commemorated our therapy sessions with a poem! *wink! wink!* Love how your unique mind has one wheel in the freaky ditch no matter what time of year it might be! *smile* Fondly, Margie

[Neville]

Cheers Margie.. these words were originally written on my hand and arm after a long day in the sun in between playing volleyball and dressing infected wounds at the Tanka Tanka psych hospital in West Africa circa 2014-15.... I hope maybe to return sometime next year possibly with my daughter and maybe with a few extra sheets o writing paper...... smiling fondly here...Neville

[barleygirl]

Love hearing about the genesis of your poems (((NUGS)))

[Neville]

tis just a trick o me tail.......and welcome you are Margie...... Nug ya and true.......... Neville

[Chris Shaw]

I have been in psychiatric wards visiting sectioned patients and have seen some very sick indeed and drug induced, but here you talk about a compound heaving and swarming. This must have taken place abroad and in a third world country for the conditions to be so horrifying. Those poor souls, zombie like, terrified. I wonder what their chances are of making a recovery. And the girl they call tomorrow has drawn fresh blood, so her meds aren't working or they haven't started her on them yet. Maybe tomorrow is when it all starts. If you witnessed these horrors, you wouldn't be likely to forget them. It would haunt you. And Catching Flies, an apt title because, that is what some look like. Hard, hard hitting. The noise, the screaming of this girl .........You take us to that place Neville. We are unlikely to forget it.

Chris

[Neville]

I doubt I will forget Chris.. these words reflect some of my experiences gained whilst working as a volunteer at Tanka Tanka in West Africa... I will maybe try and post/apply a photo to this poem tomorrow so folk can get some better idea..... Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Makes me appreciate being born in the UK when I hear of horrors like this.

Chris

[Neville]

we are indeed very lucky.. the girl on the right of the girl with orange head scarf is the girl called Tomorrow........... N x

[Chris Shaw]

So there's a good chance tomorrow never comes, which is even worse than I thought. What suffering to witness. Enough to unbalance even the strongest minds.
X

[Terpsichore]

This can only be written from experience. You paint a vivid and quite scary scenario. T

[Neville]

Your opinion is much appreciated and otherwise valued. All Good Things, N

[Lydia Shutter]

Nope, the ostrich theory does not work, that's for sure. Loved the line, "the girl they call 'Tomorrow'" It has such mystery to it....captivating write. Lydi**

[Neville]

Hey Lydi, my very dear literary friend, your taking time to consider 'Catching Flies' is greatly appreciated........... N

[Beccy]

When you close your eyes, the world becomes even darker. Such experiences as you describe here go deep and leave a lasting impression.

I could see truth here. Beccy.

[Neville]

Thank you Beccy, much appreciated... N

[Lyn Anderson]

What this conjures up for me is something horrific. An insane asylum, old school style, and an angry mentally ill patient taking it out on others while the rest stand and watch. No, I don't suppose such images, once seen, would ever go away.

[Neville]

Nearly, taking it out on herself....P.T.S.D R Us.........Cheers KLG