NO MISCHIEF 1971

TWO PATIENTS ON A LOCKED WARD 1971

You hated
the white walls
and large windows
showing the trees
and grounds
snow hidden
grey skies.

Other patients
behind you
on the locked ward
music from the radio
some love song.

Yiska stood beside you
you smelt her perfume
heavy dose.

Furore mentis
the Roman's called
our state of minds
confusion of mind
she said.

You turned
and gazed at her
too much going on
in my head
like the radar as gone
spinning out of control
you said.

You saw her
bandaged wrists
suicide attacks
of the previous day.

You ok today?
You said.

Less anxious
she replied
looking at her wrists
maybe I ought
to have tried
hang myself
as you tried
she added.

Same way
different door
you said.

You became silent
watching snow fall
heavy and slow.

Come for a walk
with me
she said
along the passage way
away from the mad
and deluded
and self harmers
(like us
you mused).

Sure
you said.

She took your hand
in hers
your wrist against
her bandaged one.

Where are you
two going?
a nurse asked you both.

For a walk
Yiska said.

The nurse studied you
no mischief then
she said
and walked off
her blue skirt
swishing from you.

What's she think
we'll go f**k
or go hang ourselves?
Yiska said.

You walked along
the passageway
walked past
the ECT room
where you went
one evening to lie
on one of the recovery beds
but a nurse found her
(you were
out of sight)
and returned her
to her bed.

You dreamed of her
in your head
in your bed.

Reviews

[Tony Jordan]

Love, lust, friends with benefits, companionship - call it what you will but it finds it's way into all facets of life. Shared experiences put us on different planes from those around us and the most unlikely of pairings are forged.
I read this a few times Terry - immersing more each time until I was there. It's another TC classic.

[Terry Collett]

Thank you, Tony