CHILL DAWN.

INSIDE A MENTAL HOSPITAL IN 1971

Yiska sits
in the bath
off the ward

no water
just sits there
all depressed
butt naked

scars on wrists
suicide
reminders

I stand there
by the door
never locked
the bathroom
on the high
risk locked ward

didn't know
you were here
I tell her

she looks up
you do now
but who cares
what’s to see
you've not seen
she mutters
got a smoke?

I give her
my packet
of French smokes

she takes one
I light it
and light one
for myself

we inhale
in silence
her pink scars
like medals
on her wrists

her small breasts
hang lonely
her sex bush
between thighs
visible

you best go
she tells me
just in case
the nurses
come along

you OK?

I'll be fine
she replies

OK then
hold in there
I tell her
walking off

I don't mind
that you're here
she whispers
we're soul mates
on death's ship
on rough seas
drowning deep

I go in
and kiss her
on the arm
then return
to the ward
of chill dawn
waiting for
my new life
to be born.