Nima said
she was ****** off
and wanted out
of the hospital.
I was visiting her
outside on the lawn.
She was in her
nightgown
getting some sun.
What's up?
I said.
Everything
from the quacks
to the food
to the **** ants
creeping along the floor
by my bed
she said.
Aren't you allowed
out into town
or up to London?
I said.
**** them Benny
she said
just because my mother
put a bad word in
they don't trust me out
in case I go get a fix.
A nurse passed by
out on to the lawn
to attend to a guy
who was doing something
with his *****
No no Henry
not out here
she said.
Nima shook her head
see what I mean
I'm a druggie
these people
are mentally ill
why am I with them?
The guy was taken back
into the ward
by the nurse.
I looked at Nima
I wouldn't get you drugs
I could tell
them that
I said.
No use Benny
they won't listen.
She lit up a cigarette
from the pack
I brought her
and I lit it
and lit one for me.
A radio played
from the open window
of the ward
a Beatle song.
We sat
and smoked
and talked more.
Henry stood flashing
by the open ward door.
Apr 20, 2017
Apr 20, 2017 at 1:07 PM UTC
Nima said
she was ****** off
and wanted out
of the hospital.
I was visiting her
outside on the lawn.
She was in her
nightgown
getting some sun.
What's up?
I said.
Everything
from the quacks
to the food
to the **** ants
creeping along the floor
by my bed
she said.
Aren't you allowed
out into town
or up to London?
I said.
**** them Benny
she said
just because my mother
put a bad word in
they don't trust me out
in case I go get a fix.
A nurse passed by
out on to the lawn
to attend to a guy
who was doing something
with his *****
No no Henry
not out here
she said.
Nima shook her head
see what I mean
I'm a druggie
these people
are mentally ill
why am I with them?
The guy was taken back
into the ward
by the nurse.
I looked at Nima
I wouldn't get you drugs
I could tell
them that
I said.
No use Benny
they won't listen.
She lit up a cigarette
from the pack
I brought her
and I lit it
and lit one for me.
A radio played
from the open window
of the ward
a Beatle song.
We sat
and smoked
and talked more.
Henry stood flashing
by the open ward door.
Request permission to use this poem