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A Schizophrenic (Free verse) by amanda_dcosta
He shakes his head, Rolls on his bed, Speaks gibberish With eyes deep red. He fights and kicks, He shouts and spits, And makes his family Lose their wits. With hair unkept, Mood, not his best He lives his life A real test. He's labelled 'mad' Inside he's sad, No one knows him Nor understands. Alas, we call ourselves human And yet what do we see We're totally numb to those desperate Whose lives we do not feel. He's crying out, oh! don't you know He's longing to be near To anyone who'll love him And want to call him 'dear'. So heed his call and do not tarry Although with him there's cause for worry. Or only when we're in his shoes We'll understand the schizo news.

Down the ladder: The Devil's Desire

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Arithmetic Mean: 6.3333335
Weighted score: 5.3585887
Overall Rank: 3345
Posted: January 22, 2006 9:38 PM PST; Last modified: January 22, 2006 9:38 PM PST
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Comments:
[8] ALChemy @ 24.74.101.159 | 23-Jan-06/8:58 AM | Reply
This is nice writing but I wished you would have approached it differently. I wish you would've written it in a schizo manner.
Like-

"He snakes his head,
they're in his bed,
gibbergarberish.
With eyes deep red.
he fights and kicks,
they shout and spit,
And take his family
Into their midst.
With unhair kept,
mood, damnedest
He rights his life
by hr.-ly tests"...

For more of an idea see schizo poet Ernst Herbeck:
http://garysullivan.blogspot.com/2005/11/three-more-ernst-herbeck-translations.html
http://www.fascicle.com/issue01/Poets/herbeck1.htm

[n/a] amanda_dcosta @ 203.145.159.37 > ALChemy | 24-Jan-06/12:27 AM | Reply
Alchemy, thanks for your review. As for writing it in a schizo way, I have had no personal experience with a schiz. I have merely been trying to understand them, in general, and this is what I understood. Its difficult knowing one when you don't know one, and this is how I am right now. Still, I gave it a try and am happy I did. Your ref. will definitely be to my advantage.
[8] ALChemy @ 24.74.101.159 > amanda_dcosta | 24-Jan-06/12:58 AM | Reply
You may come across the popular poemranker critique "Show us don't tell us" and you'll think "what the hell is that supposed to mean. If so, I feel your pain. It's a generic comment made by those who are too lazy to explain what they mean. What they usually mean is that in some poems you should make the poem take on the characteristics of the subject. If it's a sad poem use sad words and slow rythm. If it's a happy poem use happy words and upbeat rhythm. Think about writing your poem in a parable style like Jesus did with his disciples. Now this isn't always the case. I am perfectly OK with scientific and philosophical approaches to poetry that avoid too much aesthetic imagery and are focussed more on the truth of reality. Anyway I just thought I'd let you know that here, it's a lot about "show".
[n/a] amanda_dcosta @ 203.145.159.37 > ALChemy | 24-Jan-06/1:42 AM | Reply
Alchemy, I think I know what your getting at - more about showing or expressing the schizo mood in scizo terms. But then, correct me if I am wrong, its not necessary that one should be able to write something happy when one is always negative or moody, or a happy person could do vice versa. A lot comes from what's within you, and I find it difficult to express otherwise. I'm terrible at faking... have been caught redhanded many times....ha ha ha.
[8] ALChemy @ 24.74.101.159 > amanda_dcosta | 24-Jan-06/4:35 AM | Reply
By all means write happy when you're happy, sad when you're sad. Just use the right methods to convey your feelings so that others can feel it a little too. Put yourself in the shoes of your subject. That's all I meant.
[10] zodiac @ 209.193.9.123 > amanda_dcosta | 24-Jan-06/8:38 AM | Reply
re "I have had no personal experience with a schiz" -

The poem aside (I liked it), I wonder why you'd be compelled to write a poem about something you have no experience with. There are so many things you DO have experience with, insights into life in Goa or being a Christian in a place where Christianity is the minority religion that could really enrich us readers' knowledge - yet you (like Dovina with her Racism poems) might as well have written about life as a purple Mars-tortoise, for all you know of real schizophrenics. Why write about schizophrenia at all? Is it because Mental Illness (like Racism) is one of those capital-letter Topics For Poetry in our minds? Take my word for it: No poetry is really about Mental Illness. Or Racism, for that matter. Poetry touches on those things, but it's always firstly about your own experience.

I'm not trying to give you a hard time. (Like I said, I did like the poem.) My suggestion would be, now write one about YOUR REAL EXPERIENCE. If you'll let me make another suggestion, I'd like it to be about being Christian in a non-Christian country. Describe walking to work past Hindu sadhus, hearing the Muslim call-to-prayer in the middle of evening mass, knowing the laws of your home country aren't based on your own moral code - whatever makes up your actual experience. I think that would be ace. Thanks.
[8] ALChemy @ 24.74.101.159 > zodiac | 24-Jan-06/9:20 AM | Reply
Is this PR, all these tens? Did you just pick up a publisher?

Just kidding:)
[n/a] amanda_dcosta @ 203.145.159.37 > zodiac | 24-Jan-06/10:41 AM | Reply
Guess what, zodiac.......

I live in a Mental Hospital surrounded by schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, depression, OCD, anxiety, alcoholism, substance used disorders, etc. Trust me.... I know more about schizophrenia than you'll ever know.

;-)
[10] zodiac @ 209.193.9.123 > amanda_dcosta | 24-Jan-06/12:30 PM | Reply
Oh, I thought you were saying you didn't personally know any schizophrenics. Sorry, I misread.

I've worked in a couple of mental hospitals, too, you know.
[10] zodiac @ 209.193.9.123 > zodiac | 24-Jan-06/12:31 PM | Reply
In America, people say "schiz" sometimes, meaning "a schizo person".
[8] ALChemy @ 24.74.101.159 > zodiac | 24-Jan-06/2:26 PM | Reply
Yeah but did you "live" in one? Ay, ayy?
[n/a] amanda_dcosta @ 203.145.159.44 > ALChemy | 24-Jan-06/7:44 PM | Reply
Lol. ha ha ha. My previous statement was put as a tease, though not entirely wrong. I live in the hospital campus, at the side of the hospital. My husband is a psychiatrist, and I am surrounded by about 15 others who work next door. We live in the resident doctors' hostel, this place known as 'the Institute of psychiatry and Human Behaviour' and not called a Mental Hospital. See.... I don't know anyone personally, but am trying to know them indirectly.
[8] ALChemy @ 24.74.101.159 > amanda_dcosta | 25-Jan-06/5:13 AM | Reply
He's a shrink? Cool, maybe he can cure some of us. Welcome to the cuckoos nest known as poemranker my dear.
[n/a] amanda_dcosta @ 203.145.159.44 > ALChemy | 25-Jan-06/5:31 AM | Reply
Ha ha ha..... Shrink he is! He says that its because of me he's landed up here. While I say that I'm his bystander, and that he's the patient who claims to be a doc. All the same, he's the one who signed me onto this site, posting my first poem here. I suppose he plans to study characters like you (through my membership) and then present a paper on his study. Look out for your name in the International journals of Psychiatry. You could be famous. Think about it....your path to fame.......
[8] ALChemy @ 24.74.101.159 > amanda_dcosta | 25-Jan-06/6:39 AM | Reply
Hopefully not infamous though.
I had a psychologist tell me that she'd never met anyone more stable and with such inner peace. I thought, geeze lady you're more messed up than I am.
[n/a] amanda_dcosta @ 203.145.159.37 > ALChemy | 25-Jan-06/9:17 AM | Reply
That was a psychologist. Try having a round with a psychiatrist.
[8] ALChemy @ 24.74.101.159 > amanda_dcosta | 25-Jan-06/9:23 AM | Reply
I did. He watched me draw for ten minutes and then prescribed me vitamins.
[n/a] amanda_dcosta @ 203.145.159.37 > ALChemy | 25-Jan-06/9:51 AM | Reply
Did you check out his journals and see if he became rich? Your name could do wonders.
[8] ALChemy @ 24.74.101.159 > amanda_dcosta | 25-Jan-06/10:03 AM | Reply
No, but I was told he was one of the best. I was only 15 at the time.
[n/a] amanda_dcosta @ 203.145.159.37 > ALChemy | 25-Jan-06/10:10 AM | Reply
Poor victims like you. No wonder he became the best. I should'ave warned you earlier. Sorry!
[n/a] amanda_dcosta @ 203.145.159.37 > amanda_dcosta | 25-Jan-06/10:17 AM | Reply
15 at that time. And now..... do you need/want another round of consultation. I could try getting you a discount.
[8] ALChemy @ 24.74.101.159 > amanda_dcosta | 25-Jan-06/10:22 AM | Reply
I'd have to hitch a ride with my old boss Subhash to India, who by the way is in more need of a psychiatrist than me.
[n/a] amanda_dcosta @ 203.145.159.37 > ALChemy | 25-Jan-06/10:28 AM | Reply
How about a Fraizer from India..... over the phones.... I could get you connected. that would be a 100 bucks brotha.
[8] ALChemy @ 24.74.101.159 > amanda_dcosta | 25-Jan-06/10:32 AM | Reply
I'm 30,000 dollars in dept and I have a credit union suing me. So sure, Just put it on my tab.
[n/a] amanda_dcosta @ 203.145.159.37 > ALChemy | 25-Jan-06/10:40 AM | Reply
Just claim insanity. The govt should help you from then on. I know cases where thieves and murders claim insanity putting the shrinks and lawyers in a fix. You could try that. but not until you've paid my 100 bucks.
[n/a] amanda_dcosta @ 203.145.159.37 > zodiac | 25-Jan-06/10:06 AM | Reply
Zodiac,Here in India we are one billion people, and even a small minority could mean about a million people. So Christians do occupy a large portion, enough to engulf you in your neighbourhood. Both, in Kerala and here in Goa, there's a huge Christian population that I don't see sadhus walking about on my way to work (infact a huge miraculous church is right opposite the institute), or even hear a single muslim call over a loud speaker. Believe it or not, that's not how we see it here, though its painted like that across the seas. India is very tolerant to religions, and you would be surprised to find the world's largest christian retreat centre here in India, in my state - Kerala, and pretty close to where my home is. What we call it here, though, is 'unity in diversity'. So there's no such thing as a non-christian country. Its more like a multi-religious country. Maybe I could take your tip and turn this into a piece of art someday. Thanks.
[10] zodiac @ 209.193.14.133 > amanda_dcosta | 25-Jan-06/11:15 AM | Reply
I heard they had a Whale God even before they knew there were whales.
[n/a] amanda_dcosta @ 203.145.159.44 > zodiac | 25-Jan-06/5:46 PM | Reply
That's a new one. :-)
[10] zodiac @ 209.193.14.133 > amanda_dcosta | 25-Jan-06/11:11 AM | Reply
It's about 30 million, actually, according to the web.

Jordan's about 100,000 Christians in a country of 6 million. You definitely feel what it means to be in a non-Christian country. Even though Christians are pretty well tolerated, even the law is totally based on Muslim principles. It's wild.
[10] zodiac @ 209.193.14.133 > zodiac | 25-Jan-06/11:14 AM | Reply
"January 13, 2002 - Joseph Cooper, a 67-year-old missionary from Pennsylvania was attacked by Hindu fanatics outside of Trivandrum in Kerala. Cooper was beaten with sticks and cut with a machete as he was returning from a church meeting. Indian pastor Benson Sam and his wife also sustained injuries in the attack. Cooper was taken to a Trivandrum hospital where he is being treated for a deep wound to his right palm and other cuts and bruises. RSS activists are believed to have been responsible."

"November 18, 2002 - A local pastor and three Operation Mobilization workers were beaten in Goa after showing the Jesus film in a family home. The men were attacked by a mob of about 30 people as they were sitting down to eat with the family, who had been very receptive to the film. The mob also damaged a vehicle used by the Christian workers. Police eventually dispersed the mob and the Christians were able to file a formal complaint."
[n/a] amanda_dcosta @ 203.145.159.44 > zodiac | 25-Jan-06/5:44 PM | Reply
There are exceptions to every story. Fanatics roam the world. Even then, this is the only place I know and can speak from how I see it. It's not that everyday we hear of religious violence. Moreover I prefer to thank God for small mercies and acknowledge that he is indeed giving me a fair amount of freedom in practicing my religion.
[6] Dovina @ 69.175.32.104 | 23-Jan-06/10:34 AM | Reply
Sorry for my comment on your last one. I see now that you do want critique, and so I’ll give it. First, the basics: “unkept” should be “unkempt” I think, just to be traditional. And “labeled” should be “labeled.”

Now for the gritty: “Mood, not his best, he lives his life, a real test” How does living his life as a test relate to his current mood? Maybe you did it like that just for the rhyme and to sound poetic. That's a blunt conclusion, and I'll retract if you show me how the sentence says something important.

The following sentence, “Alas . . .” is a little sermon that could be better shown. (Actually, the last three verses are a sermon, and that’s not bad, except that I think giving more reasons for your conclusions would make them more palatable.)

The next sentence, “He’s crying . . .” is better, but “want” should be “wants.”
[n/a] amanda_dcosta @ 203.145.159.37 > Dovina | 24-Jan-06/12:38 AM | Reply
Dovina thanks a ton for the positive response. I admit there are a lot of spelling mistakes. I noticed them only today when I wanted to show this piece to my husband. Mistakes regretted.

As for "Mood, not his best, he lives his life a real test" - well, as I pictured it.... if anyone was to give him a little more attention and love, probably his mood could be better than when he's shunned away from human company. He lives his life a real test - indicates that he doesn't understand his life, why its not 'normal' like everybody else, why others don't want to have anything to do with him or why does he have such things as hallucinations and abnormal behaviors. Also, does he have anything to look forward to in living his life. Nobody believes in his dreams.

I hope this satisfies your question regarding that sentence.
[6] Dovina @ 69.175.32.104 > amanda_dcosta | 24-Jan-06/11:06 AM | Reply
The "Mood . . ." sentenced is vague and bland at written, in my opinion. Your explanation of it is crisp and clear. So although my question is satisfied, the sentence is still not so good.
[n/a] amanda_dcosta @ 203.145.159.37 | 24-Jan-06/1:44 AM | Reply
This is more like a struggling mood. I've been struggling to understand a schiz - and its portrayed in how I wrote it. :-)
[6] Caducus @ 86.141.200.125 | 5-Jun-06/1:53 AM | Reply
Some of the rhymings off due to a sense of allegiance of rhtme over substance but their is also some good lines notably 17-19 and first stza fairly good.
[n/a] amanda_dcosta @ 202.164.142.153 > Caducus | 6-Jun-06/10:11 AM | Reply
Cadacus, Thank you. This piece is still in the process of editing. I see what you mean, and similar opinions have also been shared, so I accept this graciously. Thank you.
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