The Ward Poem by ROOP REKHA BHASKAR
The Ward
Eyes glassy, like saucers staring at blank walls;
Saliva drooling through mouth bereft of speech.
Hands thumping faster, than a tap dancer’s feet.
Their laugh as silent as the prey in a wolf’s mouth.
Android beings defeated of presence or present;
Animated they amble without rational thought;
Ignoring their naked bodies, reeking in sweat and bile;
What devils defeat their soul and mind?
What anguish lies within their pitiable heart?
I gripped my pen, my steps faltered -
As I heard the shriek; like a wild swine to be executed.
It rattled the bleached walls behind the closed door;
I stopped short, peered hesitant, into the room.
Shaken, I stepped back with deep repulsion.
Terrified screams trailed into a wail,
Then abruptly sobered to complete silence.
My eyes viewed this miserably gaunt figure,
Tied reckless to the posts, forming a complete ‘X’
The putrid smell of drugs fused with her urine and bile;
The feeling to retch! I caught myself to stabilize.
And steeled against the walls to catch my breath.
Instead, tears flowed uncontrolled, and howled with my silent cries,
What is the word for their agony?
Is it just mad? Lunatic? Whacky? Psycho?
Why then she scribbled in bold blood, for all to see
‘Go away – I want to die! ’
I felt the suffocating experience of having visited a psychiatric ward! More than any body, I feel pity for these mentally deranged people! The first line itself is so catchy..... the blank look on their faces and the glassy eyes give a glimpse into the hollow, bleak world they inhabit! What a grinding fate! Seeing them, we are likely to question the divine dispensation! Why some are pushed into a mire to wallow in dirt and filth! It is before them, that we become so helpless! Your poem has given a gruesome picture in all its vividness and horror! Remarkable write Rupa!
For those who process reality differently. Those we call mentally deranged, because they are not a part of the norm. Those that see what we can't and are blind to what we see. Thank you for this poem Roop. There are some aspects of reality that is hidden behind walls and sometimes we forget about these people. Only God in his/her mercy understand them and his unconditional love abides with them always.
Write comment. Such a nice poem, Roop R. Read my poem, Love and Iust. Thanks
My eyes viewed this miserably gaunt figure. The feeling to retch! I caught myself to stabilize.To catch my breath I stabilized myself and breath in this concept. Interesting and wise sharing really. Nice poem shared...10
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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5/2/2024 1:10:35 AM # 1.0.0.1119
You are a female Shakespeare unleashed. Their madness has a violent beauty and you captured it wonderfully violently. Isn't there a beauty in violence?
it is true that they are violent and it is sad too; to see them and work with them. But Shakespeare! (must bbe having a 'Tempest') i'm laughing.... thank you Rajendran for understanding this poem