NO PRIVACY 1971

A GIRL AND A NURSE IN A LOCKED WARD OF A PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL IN 1971

Yiska sat
in the bath.

A nurse sat
on a chair
by the bath
in the small
bathroom on
the locked ward.

Must you sit
gawking so?
Yiska said.

I've been told
to sit here,
the nurse said.

Why is that?

Just in case
you fall down
or attempt
suicide,
the nurse said.

Rather have
Benedict
sitting there,
but not her
nosey b***h.

Hot water,
disinfect,
old flannel,
smell of soap.

Two white scars
on my wrist;
stitches still
in my arm
where I stuck
the nicked knife.

Look at her
sitting there,
nursing cow.

Had you look?
Yiska said
bitterly.

I'm a nurse;
that's my job,
I'm not here
to view you
stark naked,
but to care
about you,
the nurse said.

Benedict
would enjoy
watching me,
his hazel eyes
studying
each aspect.

I saw him
try to hang
himself once
with a cord
from someone's
dressing gown.

Yiska stood
in the bathroom;
water dripped
from her slim
white body,
her arms crossed
over breasts.

I'm done now,
Yiska said,
look away.

Not allowed,
just in case,
the nurse said.

Yiska sighed,
looked away
going red.

Reviews

[Philip Muls]

Very raw and basic human emotions. They talk to each other but do not relate, they are in different worlds.

The nurse does her job, she knows what can happen if she looks away. 'Just in case.'

With the 1971 date, it feels like it really happened.
Well done.

[Terry Collett]

Thank you, Philip