Walking through this restaurant
to the restroom –
always in the back,
of course
A gauntlet
one must walk
to go
where one needs to go
People look at me,
stare,
laugh at me.
What is wrong with her?
Those facial expressions…
Is she crazy?
And the way she walks…
so tense
Clearly a neurotic, anxious mess.
But, should she be
in a mental hospital?
In a jail?
But wait…
Is that her husband?
He seems normal enough.
Hmmm…
Maybe she has value.
Not by herself,
clearly…
But a respectable husband,
and she a teacher,
contributing value to society
And yet…
snapping their jaws
on either side of the gangway…
alligators
And hundreds of them.
They are hungry, bloodthirsty –
and they can see
right through me
They know I am unacceptable,
that I am crazy.
They lick their lips,
waiting for me to slip
I tremble,
eyes wide,
and keep walking.
Is there really…another side?
***
This poem and associated image are from my recently published book, Journey Into Mystery: A Poetic Exploration of the Hidden Psyche. The poetry in this book was written in-between hospitalization experiences for psychosis, and therefore is an invitation to inhabit with the author a slippery sort of in-between space in one’s psyche. The goal of the book is to further open up the conversation per psychoses, with the hope of facilitating finding new ways forward per this challenge. Cover art is by Lory Wingate.
https://www.leaharringtonpoet.com/
***
