First Day In The Ward Poem by Margaret Alice

Then I woke up
in a strange place
in bed wearing pyjamas
get up! get up!
a strange nurse’s voice droned
so I got up
looked for my glasses –
but there was none
I couldn’t see
where I was…

You the new patient
get up, get dressed
what is you name –
I got up, with nothing to wear
no ID, no clothes
just I alone being there
there’s a pauper’s room
with second-hand clothes
go get something to wear
I found an old dress
to cover my nakedness…
and I still couldn’t see…

Where am I? – I enquired
why am I here – and how did I arrive?
when did I come
and what shall I do?

– You were delirious…
you are in a secure mental institution
you are a patient
in mental confusion
without ID or background
no luggage or clothes, no handbag or shoes
and I can’t see, I told them
they just shrugged
we just work here – it’s not our job
to make people see – besides
why are you blind?

Now sit down, eat your food
plastic fork, knife and plate
and take these pills – all of them
and if I won’t? – ‘cause
I shan’t, I boldly said
and was neatly met
with a kind fist in the face
– that’s what we do
when you misbehave!
– nurse declared satisfied
that I understood her intent
and I ate and swallowed and
blindly stared… and went to bed…