Kersteen's Fall 1996 Poem by Terry Collett

Kersteen locks
the hospital
toilet door
sits on the seat.

She's escaped
from the ward
has bought
chocolate bars
with money
she liberated
from her mother's purse
when her mother visited
her earlier that day.

Fit loch noo?
her mother said.

Aam still nae weel
Kersteen replied.

She eats
the chocolate bars
as quick as she can
then waits
and sticks two fingers
down her throat
to make her puke.

A bang on the door
ur ye in thaur
Kersteen?
a nurse says.

Kersteen
leans over
the bowl
wipes her mouth
with the sleeve
of her dressing gown.

Aam oan th' cludgie
she says
willnae be lang.

Whit ur ye daein?
na makin' yerself
boak again Ah hiner
the nurse says.

Nae ay coorse nae
Kersteen replies
swallowing puke
and spiting out lies.