Things We Say Poem by Tom Courtney

Life goes on
I’ve seen it all before
People come and people go
Perhaps I am more fortunate
The crisis passes

All the funny pieces all the segments all the pain
I was too frightened to go insane
Fear welds the scattered pieces of the spirit
and pain brings the mind into focus

Looking now at the wide white walls
I see the long thin cracks in the plaster
and read the names of the presidents
administrators and the donors
They gave their lives
so we could live

I’m all right
I’ll be well again soon
I’m getting better, really
I am
I am