Joanna Gilman Hyde

The Tomato-coloured Couch 4:22pm

I take My Medication

to keep My Power in check

otherwise I would not sleep

& I would be powering all over

the house

& out into the yard at night

& God knows where —

I would be unstoppable

& I would have to get apprehended

by The Mounties and/or ambulance attendants

to wind up in The Yarmouth Psychiatric Unit

where They would lock Me up

in the so-called “Therapeutic Quiet Room”

where I would pound & pound

& drum & drum on the steel door

until They came in & held Me

down

for an injection

against My Will —

It’s Black Power

of Which I Speak