MENTAL WARD

The people on the inside
    they just want to die
    but they try to live

The people on the inside
    got nothing in this world
    but got a lot to give

The people on the inside
    want to be clear,
    but their heads are clouded with pills

Oh, come and see me,
Oh, come and save me,
Take me out of this place
Before I jump the wall!
Oh, I can’t go on.

The people on the outside
    smother you in shame
    slander you as insane

The people on the outside
    spend days in a haze
    pray that they’re saved

The people on the outside
    admit to every no one
    their turn too, may come

Oh, come and see me,
Oh, come and save me,
Take me out of this place
Before I jump the wall!
Oh, I can’t go on.

The people on the dark side
    fight to face the day
    life is not a game to play

The people on the dark side
    heart on their sleeve
    what to believe?

The people on the dark side
    dream of a world
    where everyone is
    ON THE SAME SIDE
- - CRONIN DETZZ

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MENTAL WARD
Written 1995
Inspiration
This poem speaks to the big gap between people on the inside & people on the outside of mental wards.  I met a lot of people who still carried the stigma of horrible phrases like "nut house" in their minds.  One man said, "I don't belong in here with these people."  I yelled at him, "Listen, buddy, you have no idea who these people are, how could you possibly know whether you belong.  There are some very wealthy, successful people [even a famous person] locked up in here with you and me, and you DO belong because you tried to kill yourself!  Join the club!"  He was embarrassed, turned red, and sat down.


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