In a square room,
arms wrapped tightly
around the chest and locked,
the white walls bear symetrical patterns
of injury proof buttons that keep
the foam padding
from falling.
The sterilized individual
doesn’t see the bees on the flowers
or the clouds forming images in the sky;
she doesn’t see children playing in the street
and she doesn’t see baseball games
where people are cheering.
The light never goes out
and the screams never stop;
she only sees the outlines of
the floaters floating by
in her eyes.
ESSENTIAL 