Type I

exploring presenting bi-polar disorder

Type I

-“furticus”

 

One minute, one month

I’m fine.

One night, one week

I’m on top of the world.

The next day I can’t get up, 

my alarm reminding me

another nine minutes has passed.

Rapid cycling

without a bike lane.

 

The Front End manager asks me if I have any

medical problems they needed to know about.

I am pausing too long.

He starts wiggling his pen between his fingers,

then he speaks, “You know like a bad back.”

My meds may make me a zombie.

I may speak really fast and can’t keep still.

I decide to tell him now,

just in case.

I don’t want him to think I am doing drugs.

But I am on drugs. “I have bipolar disorder.”

The pen stops.

“You’re not gonna, like, freak out in the middle of the store or something?”

I pause too long again.

“Oh no.” I decide to lie. “That wouldn’t happen.”

The pen starts up again. “I don’t think we’ll put that down.”

 

Spin cycle.

The timer goes off

and doesn’t stop

‘til somebody opens the door

and throws in some Lithium,

resets the timer

and turns the dial to delicate. 

Author's Note

Performance piece. Try reading aloud; effectiveness of dialogue.

Reviews

[Nusquam Esse]

I really enjoyed the last part of the first stanza, as well as the visual you used with the Lithium in 'the washer'. I also found it interesting, the juxtaposition between the 2nd stanza and the others; it is a very intriguing contrast. All in all, this is refreshingly unique, and got me thinking; which is always a good sign. Keep up the good work; I am glad you enjoyed my poem as well.

[Taylor_McCutcheon]

I enjoyed this. Very original. I can relate