LOOKING OUT FOR US
Growing up on State Hospital grounds,
My brother and I did the rounds…
Of friends to see
And places to be,
Within certain bounds!
–
At the time a thousand pair
Of eyes kept our parents aware…
On the Chaplain’s kids
And what they did,
The patients watched with care.
–
And if they could offer a treat,
Like something good to eat…
They would in a flash
To the store dash,
Buying with their pennies a sweet.
–
In that environment I grew,
Something you get used to…
Moving far away
From that kind of display,
One assumes that others do, too.
–
So it was a little shocking
That someone insisted on talking…
About watching me
In difficulty,
At work without squawking.
–
For me it was a concern,
‘Cause often I had been burned…
Confessing illness
Oft led to a mess,
Losing the job I’d earned.
–
I’d learned tight control
Over the view of my role…
To do as needed
No weakness conceded,
Being always ready to roll.
–
But still it was a comfort to see
This person was watching me…
Not for trouble
But knowing my struggle,
To just talk about it with me.
–Jonathan Caswell
