Schizophrenia Mornings

Was diagnosed with schizophrenia about 5 years ago... Had to write a poem about it

hearing voices in the morning

that dull cataclysmic retort

like bombing Cambodia

all over my living room again

sound the air raid sirens!

dive bombers in the shrieking wind

dropping incendiary ammunition

i'll light my cigarette with it

a monsoon built for one

I'll fill my coffee pot 

though next time

i think i better remember

my umbrella

red-tail hawk chases after the hare again

down the rabbit hole of today's

infinite possibilities

Reviews

[Ken e Bujold]

very evocative poem John. Testament to man's inner resolve. Face our demons, pursue our dreams. Best of luck in dealing with what lies ahead

Ken

[John Sullivan]

My thanks Ken! for your thoughts and for reading... It's one day at a time, but I'm feeling pretty good these days

[emmajoygreen]

That last stanza could-would be the first, arriving somewhere is what matters, whatever its un -reason or not. Your words echo your how you think, are - sans evaluation. Second stanza says more than more. 'I'll light my cigarette with it, that said, extended!

[John Sullivan]

Thank you for your thoughts!

[NormaZ]

Hi John, I love the imagery in your poem, it really brings out the sense of chaos vs reality. My mom, my uncle and my nephew all had schizophrenia, and my two nephews and I have bipolar. Can’t refute the genetics.

[John Sullivan]

It runs in my family too... I wish you all the best on your mental health trials, bipolar can be tough

[NormaZ]

It really can be tough, but at least it provides endless ideas for poems! I will send you one I wrote about mania.

[John Sullivan]

Its tough, I am a schizophrenic but I don't want to become a schizophrenic poet, if that makes sense. Though I've lost a lot of life experience to the disease... I'd be glad to read your piece!

[Neville]

.. With much respect, this was respectfully enjoyed John, write on .. Neville

[John Sullivan]

Thanks a lot Neville!

[John the Baptist]

I worked for 26 years in the mental health field, knew many people who had schizophrenia. Auditory hallucinations were the most common symptom my people reported. As I recall, those who were diagnosed later in life fared better than those who started showing symptoms in their teens. As far as I know, there is still no cure, but the thing can be coped with.

[John Sullivan]

I'm very well medicated, which helps. I'm doing well enough to volunteer at my local community health care center, I write for there monthly newsletter. Thank you for your thoughts!