Mark Anthony Pearce writes

FUNERALS IN CHELMSFORD

‘I am sorry if I irritate you
With my hallucinations’
Says Frances
‘No need to be sorry’
I tell her
One of the other patients
A Russian named Serge
Is reading one of the tabloid newspapers
‘It seems to me that man
Prefers to know
About the truth of the world’
Says Frances
‘Did you know
My father was an AA Warden
During the war
And never liked
To attend funerals in Chelmsford’

Ardleigh Ward, 

The Lakes Mental Health Centre, 

Colchester, February 2011

Mark Anthony Pearce writes

FRANCES

‘I haven’t met you before young man’ 

Says Frances

‘Pray, tell me your name?’

‘Hello Frances my name is Mark’

‘And are you proud?’

Asks Frances 

‘Have you read the Holy Bible?’

‘Yes Frances’ 

I reply 

‘Then you know the Gospel of St. Luke

Take pride in thyself’ 

I do not know quite what to say

‘Are you mentally ill?’

Asks Frances 

I do not know what to say 

‘Are you lonely my boy?’

I tell her yes 

I’ve felt lonely 

She turns away from me 

Holding her walking stick 

And talking to herself 

About her long, lost husband 

Keeping clean 

The troubles in Ireland 

And trips to India 

Ardleigh Ward, 

The Lakes Mental Health Centre, 

Colchester, February 2011

Mark Anthony Pearce writes

BERNIE PART II

One of the doctors offers me

A digestive biscuit

‘Don’t you eat that!’

Says Bernie

‘It will kill you!’

‘Take two’

Said the doctor

I just take one

Bernie gets from off her chair

And walks towards

One of the elderly female patients

‘Stay away from me evil bitch!’

Says Bernie

I comfort the poor old woman

Who is visibly upset

‘I’m fed up of you swearing at me Bernie!’

Shouts the old lady

‘I give you my cigarettes

And what do I get in return?

You’re always swearing at me!

I’ve had enough!’

Bernie just glares at us

And leaves the room

Ardleigh Ward, 

The Lakes Mental Health Centre, 

Colchester, February 2011