In the realm of poetry, where words become vessels for our innermost thoughts and feelings, we often find ourselves tangled in the rituals and regulations surrounding mental health—a subject abundant in stigma and misunderstanding. The poem “meeny miny” navigates this delicate landscape with a deft touch, exploring the often mechanical interactions we have in clinical settings. Have you ever felt like just another number in a system designed to keep everything in check? In this piece, a gatekeeper reigns supreme, controlling the flow of “normality” with a scripted precision that can feel both comforting and constraining. It shines a light on the complex relationship between our emotional truths and the societal frameworks that seek to manage them. So, join me as we delve into this poignant reflection, a reminder that beneath the glossy exterior of brochures, there lies a deeper, often unspoken, story waiting to be told. LEARN MORE.
meeny miny
moed from glossy
black and white
single-sided brochures
at the check-in counter
he said he was just
the gatekeeper
his job was
to not let anything
get past him
he kept to the script
yes—no
questions—answers
did I want to harm
myself or
others
he divvied out a month’s
refill of normality
he was the gatekeeper
his job was to
maintain status quo
it would take
referral to at least
a bi-fold brochure
to get anything
past him
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