Nima Leaves Hospital 1967 Poem by Terry Collett

Your mother
had brought the car
to the hospital
you were going
home at last.

Benny had rung yesterday
and you arranged
to meet him on Saturday
in Trafalgar Square.

The mind doctor
had been to see you
and you were packed.

You said goodbye
to the nurses who had been
like a family to you
while you had been
in the hospital.

Now it was over
all you had to do now
was stay off the drugs
not get in touch
with anyone who had
got you into it.

Your mother fussed about
then went off to talk
to the quacks.

You wished Benny was there
it seemed strange going
after the time stuck in here
except for weekends out.

You stood by the window
and looked out
on the hospital grounds.

You'd sat out there
with Benny a few times
now you were about to go.

Your mother came back
stiff faced her eyes on you
don't end up here again Nima
stay off the drugs
next time it won't be just hospital
it will be in jail.

It seemed odd
your mother saying that word
like someone
had invented
a barking bird.