Another Day In The Asylum

I remember
Having a life, having freedom
When each new day was a challenge,
A discovery

Now,

Wake up
Speak to God
or don’t speak
depending on your persuasion

Take meds
or refuse
if you want your name on a report

Wait for ten creeping seniors to get into the elevator
Then it’s your turn
The door slowly opens
and you wheel yourself to the cafeteria

Staff tells you to sit
by an old man with a beard
who never speaks

An old woman coughs
a man sneezes
a man coughs
a woman sneezes
everyone coughs and sneezes

Orange juice or cranberry juice?
Coffee or tea?
Scrambled eggs or cheerios?

When you finish, throw on your jacket
put on that cowboy hat
that makes everyone think you’re crazy
wheel yourself outside
ride that chair like it was a horse
scare the lizards
make friends with the birds
make friends with the cats
go back to your room

Suddenly, it’s lunch!
beverage of choice
chef salad or chicken fajita?
would you like the chocolate cupcake?

When it’s over
Two hours of painful therapy
will your body hold out?
will God grant you endurance?

Then, funtime!
Play TV or watch Bingo?
Maybe put green plastic flowers
in a mason jar for St. Patrick’s Day
or just zone out

Mealtime!
Pork in honey mustard sauce
or lemon pepper fish
beverage of choice
sherbert for dessert

Too dark to go out
Back to room
Wait for night meds
Watch a movie you’ve seen 100 times
Fight for sleep

Wake up!
Routine starts again!
Each day the same
Each day, getting older
Till the day comes
and ends
without you

-275 words