I don't like hospitals

I wanted someone to listen to me

but I ended up in the hospital with the crazy people

they saw me as a problem not a person

I needed kind ears

I got bullied by pill pushers

I needed warm smiles

I got asked out by the lesbian coke fiend

They put me in AA when I was bone dry

every day they asked for my insurance cards up front

before I had to sign the contract for safety

they heard about my night terrors

and then labeled me an addict

when I asked for a new therapist

I was labeled non compliant

when I took a beach day

I was declared defiant by a judge

who couldn’t even pronounce my name

so I had no choice but to pretend I was crazy

until I could sign myself out

I admitted to being addicted to everything

sex love praise ice cream television shows you name it

I hugged the bipolar alcoholic

and the shoplifting anorexic mother

it was genuine compassion for these women

that got me through the program

but the next time I am over the edge

I’ll keep it inside till I am numb to the slicing

I don’t have friends and I don’t like hospitals