The ECTs
were performed

in a small room
off the locked ward

where the patient
would be strapped down

on a bed
injected

then wired up
then they turned on

the juice
and it was

in that room
you came round

to find Christine
lying on another bed

her head
slightly turned

clothed in a white
nightgown

her hair in disarray
you felt heavy

as if someone
had hammered

your head
light leaked

at the sides
of the black shutters

over the window
Christine opened her eyes

and saw you there
I feel ******

she said
me too

you replied
I feel as if I’m a ghost

and no one’s
told me I died

she looked around
the room

in the half light
then at her bare feet

no sign of nails
she said

but I feel as if crucified
as if my brain’s

been fried
her words hung

in the air
like young birds

on their first flight
lingering

momentarily there
it’s meant

to help you forget
you said

meant to wipe out
that aspect

that causes the pain
like being jilted

at the altar?
she said

like standing in front
of all those people

like some dressed up ****?
yes like that

you said
well it hasn’t worked

she said
looking at you

her eyes fixed
with that stare

as if she’d been emptied
and wasn’t really there

love’s a cruel disease
you uttered

your lips barely moving
your eyes drinking her in

her hair
her pale features

her white gown
her legs

and feet
naked

why did he jilt me?
she asked

no idea
you replied

he lied
she said

he’s a fool
you stated

I’d not have left you
but he did

she breathed out
that’s the rub

you said
that the nail

that enters deepest
her eyes watered

and she put out a hand
and touched yours

hanging at the side
of your bed

where you were  
strapped down

two ****** people
she muttered

both half dead
outside the room

a radio played
voices talked

someone sang
out of tune

they’ll be coming
to unfetter us

she said
quite soon.