tridd forums

Epithet for ECT*

Paper hospital gown barely covering anything

that just doesn't embarrass me anymore.

paper party hat,

paper shoes.

wheelchaired to the ersatz morgue

contemplating the steady drone of a dozen vital signs flashing

behind the curtains

like neon bees buzzing

on and off,

on and off,

one now on for good.

one less need for a thousand nurses?

treads and sighs that day.

Fish eye faces hovering

anesthesia man,

IV man,

monitor man,

electrode man,

clipboard man,

intern man,

ghost of failure man.

Ten, nine, eight, sev?

good night?

Fine seizure

excellent work

back to the ward,

D ward

where everything remains at right angles

even our vision ?

to spy around corners

where the aides sneak smokes

and the shrinks conspire.

It's just another day,

only moreso,

my senses are electric.




-- Lynn Paluga

*Electroconvulsive Therapy


[May I introduce Lynn, who is a friend of mine from the "Old Country" - my former life in North Carolina. Lynn is such a dear friend... saw me through the cout-martial (as in actually in-my-arms, posing as my "girlfriend"!!!), and has always been a shining beam of poetry in my life. With a little luck, perhaps we can enjoin Lynn into becoming a bona fide member of these here forums, where I know she will become instant family! -- Troy]

Lynn, that was GOOD!! Loved it....I felt there and in your skin. Loved it loved it loved it. Very good. What can I say? More more more....I am SO happy you are here to write and share and all that good stuff!
Peace and Love, Steve

Hi Lynn -- welcome... Interesting and thought evoking poem--i think they don't use ect much anymore??? Read some of your journal entries again very interesting--i too went to catholic school and had a time with the nuns and brothers and rebelled alll the way..what a crock--catholicism may have been acceptable for me if it was not introduced and reinforced to me by some of the most dysfunctional, hypocritical people on the planet. Share more, more.... Peace, love and healing --Jeanne

A very moving pome, Lynn. The line, "It's just another day," in the context of the speaker's narration, simply grabs at you. "My senses are electric" is a stunner--maybe the conspiring shrinks accomplish more than they know or intend? Thans & welcome.

Tam/Tom

As a big time electro slut, I got a full spectrum of emotions from this reading, despite its clinical perspective. My own perversions aside, I think the lingering uncertainty of exactly why ECT was being used did it for me. Was it elective or mandatory? Is this Fiction?

Ox

Elpe is an old and very dear friend of mine, ox... lives in Florida now, and may only visit these forums now & then... so don't take a lack of response personally. I imagine she may get around to answering you eventually.