White walls, white gowns, white everything.

Cries of ****** ******.

The voices and pain.

The nurses trying to calm down those who are yelling cause the voices won’t stop.

The new girl crying in her room while reading a book.

The girl sitting in the corner rocking back and forth, counting the days.

The boy playing chess with his imaginary friend.

The mom crying because they took her child away so she wouldn’t hurt the infant.

The grandma just visiting her blind, mute, and deaf grandchild while tears roll down her cheek.

Do you hear the voices like I do?

Do you see things that aren’t there?

Are you just like the rest of us?

-Gillian Askeland