Prediagnosis Poem by Erin Connley

Wide-eyed and young, they flirt with boys;

I worry about damnation.

Squeeze broken glass inside my palms,

And beg the Lord for mercy.



They hush me when I cry too loud-

Twenty milligrams, Lexapro.

I hide them underneath my tongue,

And beg the Lord for mercy.



She tells me “Pray to Jesus, child.”

But I wanted her to hold my hand,

And know the hell inside my head,

And beg with me for mercy.