There were bright lights
from the ceiling
once it got
dark outside
and when big Ted
brought in
the sandwiches
for tea or supper
or whatever
they called it
I sat next to Christine
on one
of the double sofas
and she looked
at the plates
of sandwiches
that were laid
on the table
and said
usual boring stuff
I’m not eating
I’d rather starve
big Ted said
O come on
young lady
we've got
to get you well again
and out of this ward
he offered her
a ham sandwich
real ham
he said
not that tin stuff
she looked at him
don't fancy meat
she said
he took up
a cheese sandwich
Cheddar
he said
good stuff
I’ve tasted it
downstairs
in the kitchen
I could eat a horse
I said
taking the cheese sandwich
no horse sandwiches today
Ted said smiling
Christine gazed at me
then at the plate
of sandwiches
it's an effort to eat
she said
I should be coming home
from my honeymoon now
if the **** hadn't left me
at the altar
done my head in
Ted raised his eyebrows
is there anything
I can get you other
than sandwiches?
they've got
sausage rolls downstairs
all dressed
in my wedding dress
with flowers
and waiting
and he doesn't show
I take a ham sandwich
his loss
I said
he must be missing a *****
not to wed you
she gazed at me
then took
a cheese sandwich
and ate
Ted frowned
and walked off
to get the teapot
and coffee pots
and cups
from the trolley
you'll find someone
I said
don't think
I want anyone now
think I'll become a nun
or missionary
in some far off land
sexless and taking care
of others
she sat eating
in silence for a moment
or two
not sure
I could go long
without ***
come to think of it
she took a ham sandwich
with one hand
and placed a hand
on my thigh
with that dull light
in her green blue
left eye.
Apr 10, 2014
Apr 10, 2014 at 3:18 AM UTC
There were bright lights
from the ceiling
once it got
dark outside
and when big Ted
brought in
the sandwiches
for tea or supper
or whatever
they called it
I sat next to Christine
on one
of the double sofas
and she looked
at the plates
of sandwiches
that were laid
on the table
and said
usual boring stuff
I’m not eating
I’d rather starve
big Ted said
O come on
young lady
we've got
to get you well again
and out of this ward
he offered her
a ham sandwich
real ham
he said
not that tin stuff
she looked at him
don't fancy meat
she said
he took up
a cheese sandwich
Cheddar
he said
good stuff
I’ve tasted it
downstairs
in the kitchen
I could eat a horse
I said
taking the cheese sandwich
no horse sandwiches today
Ted said smiling
Christine gazed at me
then at the plate
of sandwiches
it's an effort to eat
she said
I should be coming home
from my honeymoon now
if the **** hadn't left me
at the altar
done my head in
Ted raised his eyebrows
is there anything
I can get you other
than sandwiches?
they've got
sausage rolls downstairs
all dressed
in my wedding dress
with flowers
and waiting
and he doesn't show
I take a ham sandwich
his loss
I said
he must be missing a *****
not to wed you
she gazed at me
then took
a cheese sandwich
and ate
Ted frowned
and walked off
to get the teapot
and coffee pots
and cups
from the trolley
you'll find someone
I said
don't think
I want anyone now
think I'll become a nun
or missionary
in some far off land
sexless and taking care
of others
she sat eating
in silence for a moment
or two
not sure
I could go long
without ***
come to think of it
she took a ham sandwich
with one hand
and placed a hand
on my thigh
with that dull light
in her green blue
left eye.
GIRL IN A PSYCHIATRIC WARD IN 1971.
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