poem
after a lithograph by Katherine Drake: “Mentally ill patients dancing at a ball at Somerset County Asylum”
I want to get out of here!
A little dancer
Asked me why I didn't join the merry dance
No, dear,
If dogs eat dung
Should I join in the fun?
But, oh!
How the drum-beat pulsed my heart!
And, with a glance,
The fairest lady of them all
Tugged at the soul of this bard
No, no, no! Nein!
If clueless infants touched a gun
Should I teach them
How to fire off a blast?
Get me out of here!
Somebody! Anybody!
Ah, I see him,
my dear Sergeant Death
Masterfully – striding – purposefully –
And I smile at him, happily
Come and take me,
my good sergeant,
How I've waited
For this blissful moment!