When I watch you
Wrapped up like garbage
Sitting, surrounded by the smell
Of too old potato peels
Or
when I watch you
In your old man's shoes
With the little toe cut out
sitting, waiting for your mind
like next week's grocery
I say
when I watch you
you wet brown bag of a woman
who used to be the best looking gal in Georgia
used to be called the Georgia Rose
I stand up
through your destruction
I stand up

Everyday your there
Your wasting
You might be dead
Reeking of desolation
Majestic windows, not so majestic anymore
Blue paint, not so blue anymore
The cat dragged you in
Old house,
Who used to find comfort here?
What have they left you to become
Grand Victorian on Main Street
Not quite so grand
Let this old neighborhood live
As you die
Let it live

For the Mad
by, Lucille Clifton

you will be alone at last
in the sanity of your friends             

 brilliance will fade away from you                     
and you will settle in dimmed light.                  

 you will not        remember how to    mourn
your dying difference

you will not be better but
they will say you are well

Sad Girl
By, Sarah Brooks
Inspired by Lucille Clifton's, For the Mad

 you will be numb
the prick of life won’t touch your frail skin

 so said the label as she swallowed them down
stop being sad, stop being mad

 where have you gone to?
there’s not a love song in you mind or wind in you hair

 It might just be time to go sad girl
Before you end your pain, remember your daughter  

The sparkle of youth trapped within the pores of her skin
A suicide in the family, what would that do to her?