Lily and Sanity 1961.

She tasted the sandwich,

the bread and the contents,

that slight bitterness,

that tang that remained

long after having eaten.

The mug of tea

of boiled tea did nothing

to being her joy

or satisfaction, 

just that drinkability

and mouth quenching

stuff and made poorly.

Day after day

she went through 

the daily routine,

the morning wash,

the quick dressing,

the rush to make up

the bed and bedding,

then along to the main room

where the tables were 

and get her usual seat,

sit ready for the breakfast 

or lunch or evening tea.

Bredwen was one

who ate her own

then tried and eat that

of others and often 

did do and none 

of the nurses stopped her.

The TV blared out

from the crowded lounge,

programme after programme,

and she sat watching

a saner world play out

its insanities on screen,

and she sat and watched

until she needed to eat

or bath or such,

and nothing on the looked ward

seemed to matter 

or happen much.