On the phone,
On the phone much of my time,
talking to my family and two close friends.
Not all at once, but throughout the day.
My favorite conversation partner is my mother.
She always knows just what to say.
However, one night or day– I can’t remember,
She said, “Can’t you tell those voices to go away?”
I HATE when people say that.
Everybody says that.
After my mom said this,
I went up to my group home worker
to vent
and she said she used to say that,
but the manager halted her.
It makes it worse, the manager told her.
It puts the schizophrenic in the position
where they realize just how little control
they have over the voices.
The voices become more active.
What can you say
to help a schizophrenic?
Draw a picture.
Do a jigsaw or crossword puzzle.
Sudoku!
Take a walk or run.
Read the bible.
Play your switch.
Call a friend.
This is how you fight the voices.
What really helped me?
Being told by a professional
that they might never go away completely.
It sounds bleak,
but it’s better than asking schizophrenics
what my mom did.
I did absolutely nothing in 2020,
waiting for the voices to depart.
Bundled up in bed all day.
You might as well do something.
If all you can wish for is a better day.
Start somewhere.
How about you read a poem.
Even if it’s stupid and shitty.
There you go.
You’re on your way.