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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Atticus on June 15, 2006, at 19:51:59
“That’s just
Self-mutilation,”
Angela tells me
As she pushes up the sleeve
Of her yellow hospital gown
To reveal a criss-crossing ladder
Of white scars left by
The passage of razors
Ascending the coffee-toned skin
Of her inner left forearm,
As casually as if
She had said, “Those are just
Mosquito bites.”That’s just
self-mutilation,
I think to myself
As I ponder the
Incomprehensible acts
That have placed her
In this psych ward beside me.
Not a big deal,
Her 20-year-old voice
Flatly informs me
In tone as well as word.It’s just
Self-mutilation,
My mind repeats
As I roll up my own gown’s sleeve
To reveal the sickly pinkish lines
Created by sutures
That snake
Like lightning bolts up
My left forearm,
Following the faint blue veins underneath
The scars.“This is
Self-destruction,”
I say, in voice low and whispery
Like fall leaves on the pavement
When they’re touched by
Early winter winds.
I want to tell her
Not to graduate from
Her form of disfigurement
To mine, but I know
She’ll only shrug and reply,
“That’s just self-mutilation,”
And gaze at me
With brown and baffled eyes.
Posted by Bobby on June 15, 2006, at 21:36:12
In reply to That's Just, posted by Atticus on June 15, 2006, at 19:51:59
True atticus form. good to see you back. I'm sure your groupies will agree. :)
Posted by sleepygirl on June 15, 2006, at 21:43:32
In reply to That's Just, posted by Atticus on June 15, 2006, at 19:51:59
...that's just tragic
How are you? from true life is it?
-sg
Posted by sabrina0805 on June 16, 2006, at 7:10:30
In reply to That's Just, posted by Atticus on June 15, 2006, at 19:51:59
Welcome back Atticus!
Posted by rainbutterfly on June 16, 2006, at 7:58:51
In reply to That's Just, posted by Atticus on June 15, 2006, at 19:51:59
waves from under leaf
Posted by llrrrpp on June 16, 2006, at 13:32:48
In reply to That's Just, posted by Atticus on June 15, 2006, at 19:51:59
Thank you Atticus for telling us how it happens. I never really understood it myself, even as I was hurting myself
images to go with voices
-ll
Posted by Declan on June 16, 2006, at 14:08:05
In reply to That's Just, posted by Atticus on June 15, 2006, at 19:51:59
'I say, in voice low and whispery
Like fall leaves on the pavement
When they’re touched by
Early winter winds.'Very nice Atticus, that was beaut.
Declan
Posted by Atticus on June 17, 2006, at 8:32:43
In reply to Re: That's Just » Atticus, posted by Bobby on June 15, 2006, at 21:36:12
Many thanks, Bobby. I've just gotten home from two weeks as an inpatient in a psych ward. This year has been one long spiraling slow-motion crash for me, so I haven't been to this site in a while. Nice to be missed. Atticus
Posted by Atticus on June 17, 2006, at 8:34:51
In reply to groupie here ;-) hello there » Atticus, posted by sleepygirl on June 15, 2006, at 21:43:32
Yes, this little exchange of dialogue is verbatim from my recent stay in a psych ward. Atticus
Posted by Atticus on June 17, 2006, at 8:36:21
In reply to Another groupie » Atticus, posted by sabrina0805 on June 16, 2006, at 7:10:30
Thanks, luv. It's good to hear from you, too. Atticus
Posted by Atticus on June 17, 2006, at 8:40:40
In reply to » Atticus, posted by llrrrpp on June 16, 2006, at 13:32:48
You're very welcome, luv. There's a type of matter-of-factness about describing things like cutting in a psych ward, I've found -- not unlike many of the exchanges that go on at this site. Ta. Atticus
Posted by Atticus on June 17, 2006, at 8:43:08
In reply to Re: That's Just, posted by Declan on June 16, 2006, at 14:08:05
Glad you stopped by to read it, mate. This is the first poem I've written in months. I think my new meds cocktail may finally be working. Ta. Atticus
Posted by cloudydaze on July 20, 2006, at 16:01:11
In reply to That's Just, posted by Atticus on June 15, 2006, at 19:51:59
Your imagery is beautiful and well-written, though very sad. Powerful words.
You have a lot of talent :)
-cloudydaze
> “That’s just
> Self-mutilation,”
> Angela tells me
> As she pushes up the sleeve
> Of her yellow hospital gown
> To reveal a criss-crossing ladder
> Of white scars left by
> The passage of razors
> Ascending the coffee-toned skin
> Of her inner left forearm,
> As casually as if
> She had said, “Those are just
> Mosquito bites.”
>
> That’s just
> self-mutilation,
> I think to myself
> As I ponder the
> Incomprehensible acts
> That have placed her
> In this psych ward beside me.
> Not a big deal,
> Her 20-year-old voice
> Flatly informs me
> In tone as well as word.
>
> It’s just
> Self-mutilation,
> My mind repeats
> As I roll up my own gown’s sleeve
> To reveal the sickly pinkish lines
> Created by sutures
> That snake
> Like lightning bolts up
> My left forearm,
> Following the faint blue veins underneath
> The scars.
>
> “This is
> Self-destruction,”
> I say, in voice low and whispery
> Like fall leaves on the pavement
> When they’re touched by
> Early winter winds.
> I want to tell her
> Not to graduate from
> Her form of disfigurement
> To mine, but I know
> She’ll only shrug and reply,
> “That’s just self-mutilation,”
> And gaze at me
> With brown and baffled eyes.
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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