So we're supposed to write a poem about a paradox, and this is what I came up with, after my experience in the hospital in the fall. Do you think it's safe to give to a teacher as an assignment for school?
They locked me up
That girl
That thing
That desperate creature trying to destroy herself
She tries too hard
Overwhelmed
Not focused
She can’t deal with her own schedule
She needs some freedom to think
They locked me up
Gave me time
Gave me room
Let me spread the chaos of my mind on clean white beds
We will be here to look over her
Keep her well
Keep her safe
We will give her pills that will make her happy and free to think
And restrain her from driving down into the darkness
They locked me up
Wake up
Go to bed
A schedule to keep me well and body regulated
She seems to be getting better
Realizing
Understanding
Life isn’t perfect; it’s unfair and limiting
But she can free herself from depression by accepting the restraints
They let me free
I’m better
I’m okay
I’m out of their prison, and into the world
She’s free to leave, to go home
To her schedule
School, and work
She’ll be fine as long as she frees her mind from depression
Frees herself from the freedom to ponder into the unknown
Frees herself from what causes her downs, this philosophy
Frees herself from her own wretched mind
Frees herself from what makes her, her
Frees herself
So she’ll never again achieve the death that she desires.
They locked me up
That girl
That thing
That desperate creature trying to destroy herself
She tries too hard
Overwhelmed
Not focused
She can’t deal with her own schedule
She needs some freedom to think
They locked me up
Gave me time
Gave me room
Let me spread the chaos of my mind on clean white beds
We will be here to look over her
Keep her well
Keep her safe
We will give her pills that will make her happy and free to think
And restrain her from driving down into the darkness
They locked me up
Wake up
Go to bed
A schedule to keep me well and body regulated
She seems to be getting better
Realizing
Understanding
Life isn’t perfect; it’s unfair and limiting
But she can free herself from depression by accepting the restraints
They let me free
I’m better
I’m okay
I’m out of their prison, and into the world
She’s free to leave, to go home
To her schedule
School, and work
She’ll be fine as long as she frees her mind from depression
Frees herself from the freedom to ponder into the unknown
Frees herself from what causes her downs, this philosophy
Frees herself from her own wretched mind
Frees herself from what makes her, her
Frees herself
So she’ll never again achieve the death that she desires.