“Patient 013666
“Please come to window 3.”
Cold.
White.
Sanitized.
The barren womb
of institutionalized empathy.
Apathy apparently
Creeps its way in;
The sterile smiles
Greet the disenfranchised.
“This way please.
“Here’s the phone,
“You’ll be here alone,
“It’s the best we’ve got.”
The best they’ve got?
The call begins
The unraveling
Of broken pathways
In a twisted world.
“The team will decide.”
What team?
Who are they?
Why aren’t they here?
Who is this saccharine songbird,
And what song is being sung?
“The team” has the power.
“Have a nice day.”
They’re shallow words.
They mean as much to me
As they do to the disembodied voice.
The questions linger
In this house of hospitality.
© 2024 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
-
Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Offline) - Published: November 27th, 2024 04:28
- Comment from author about the poem: A raw glimpse into the cold reality of an addiction treatment center.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 13
Offline)
Comments7
Its a good job they are not all like this .. I hear that a lot are tho ' ..
Yeah. I am sure they are not all like this, but yeah...the ones that are 🤦♂️. Thank you, as always, for reading and engaging, Neville! Much appreciated! 🙏❤️
The authors note aids in deciphering this poem. Nevertheless, as brilliant and raw as this writing is and as well, as it describes an addiction treatment center it also may be taken as a metaphor for other settings as well. These could range from the entry to heaven or hell to political interrogation in a dystopia or questions in the mind of a person in coma. It is broad enough to fit many of these settings and human emotions very well written.
Wow! 🤯 indeed. Thank you so much for reading and for your multi-leveled interpretation, my friend! I always appreciate your time and insightful engagement! 🙏❤️
Spot on, poignantly capturing the dehumanizing and isolating experience of institutional life. Your vivid imagery and a stark, minimalist style critiques the lack of genuine empathy and the power dynamics that leave patients feeling powerless and confused. It's a powerful reminder of the importance of humanity and compassion in care settings, urging us to see beyond the sterile smiles and institutional apathy in contrast to the real need for a more compassionate and person-centered approach in our systems.
There not all that bad. Problem down here, amongst others, is there's not many left. Thank God for the steps.
Indeed, not all of them are. The one I went to was and one that bad is one too many. Indeed, thank God for the steps and anything else that helps people along to recovery. This experience was not helpful, though it was VERY insightful. And, as you know my friend, poets have voices! 🤣 Thank you, as always, for reading and engaging! 🙏❤️
At least there is a window was my first thought. What a cold clinical setting. Make the client feel as uncomfortable as possible, in the house of hospitality. I’ve visited a few, as a visitor not a client. They aren’t all thankfully so hostile. Yes, a raw glimpse Tristan. Gave me the shivers you did.
Thank you so much, Cassie, That means more to me than I can express. I am glad the poem resonated and I was able to give a glimpse into this particular center. This poem was written in August following my own personal experience. Indeed, in the picture there is a window. In reality, no such window existed. It was a closet-sized room, with a small table with a phone on it. No joke. That's it. And of course, a disembodied voice that came through the phone. I initially submitted it for traditional publication (I figure, why not try? LOL). It's another on a growing list of rejections, which I wear like a badge. I figured it had waited long enough to meet the world, so I decided to publish it online. That said, this experience was awful and this was the second treatment center. I had initially gone to a different center at a hospital and that experience was far worse, though more personal in that it was "in-person". Two treatment centers, each their own epic fail. Indeed, though, you are right that not all of them are that way. Thankfully so. But I could not believe my eyes or my ears! Thank you so much for your time and feedback, my friend! I truly value it! 🙏❤️
I thought it was gonna be about some addiction to sugar/saccharine. lol.
LOL! Well, we all know such a thing exists, so not a bad guess given the title! LOL! Thank you for reading and commenting, Orchi! Always appreciated my friend! 🙏❤️
Wow! 😲
Powerful penning and
Insight of an A.T. Center,
must be a lot of repeat
offenders that can't
shake that horrible disease... 😢
Thanks for sharing, great
poem and reminder! 👍
And articulately penned my friend!
Best regards ✌️ peace Thad
Thank you Thad! Much appreciated! It was something to see 😳 and experience, that is for sure. I always appreciate your time and engagement, my friend! 🙏❤️
To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.