LOOKING OUT FOR US

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