Sign This Paper
“Stay calm”
How is that possible
My mind is jumbled
I’m shaking
I can’t speak properly
Cops At my door banging
My ears ringing
I feel as if I’m dead already
But then I wake up
Wheeling into a room
Padded walls
Dirty mattress
Cameras
“We’ll check in on you every day” they tell me
What no
I’m fine I swear
“No you’re sick”
Weight falls onto my shoulders
No windows
No noise
Just silence
Announcements say it’s 8:00
All the lights turn off
A camera in my room has a blinking red dot
This is all for you
Medication
Therapy
The state told us to hold you for 72 hours
But sign this paper it’ll make your stay seem more voluntary
No family or friends allowed
You are a danger to others and yourself
You are sick
You need help
Let us help, this is all for you
For your benefit
We didn’t cause and new problems
We just heightened what was already there
So please let these scary men in white lab coat and clipboards help
They are taking time out of their personal lives to help you
So be honest and don’t waste your time or ours
While you're waiting enjoy our
Plastic furniture
Coloring books
Old radios with no antenna
The static so loud you can't hear anything
Even the screaming to the lady down the hall
That's normal for her
It wasn’t but now it is
And until we can find the right medication
To shove down her throat
We will help her
Just like we’ll help you
If you’ll sign these papers
It’s not that hard
You only have a day left which is enough time
For a breakthrough or a break down
Which is a method to help you
And with your knuckles white and tears streaming down your face
With such an aggressive look
Maybe you need to be more social with other patients
Listen when they tell you how lucky you are to be placed here
We are the one of the ‘good ones’
Learn how terrible their trauma is
But anyway
Please sign these papers
You’re sick
Please let us help