To Whom It May Concern

Four years ago, a friend passed away from schizophrenia. Several years previous, I had lost contact with him; then he 'suddenly' reappeared in my community. After this unexpected meeting, I wrote the following poem as a tribute to the man; he not only lost, but his family and other friends [did] as well. We mourned him not only after his diagnoses, but his untimely death as well.

I guess after all this time, I wanted to share [the poem] with others. In sharing it, I hope it does not offend anyone. It is meant as a tribute to my friend, he was generous and intelligent beyond belief.

Thank you for your time.

Michelle Anthony


THE STOLEN SOUL

A jumbled knot of long hair
and unkept beard,
You called my name.
For endless moments~
with all energy
pounding in my throat,
I searched your face.

Who are you?
How do you know my name?
Then with electric epiphany
I looked beyond your scruffy being
and into your eyes.
Those blue eyes that once held such piss and vinegar ;
now held no soul.

With question, I spoke your name.
My heart pounded~
not with the excitement of meeting
a dear old friend,
but in likeness of passing a stranger
on a deserted, darkened street.
My mouth begged for drink.

You spoke of times I knew ;
and of times I knew never existed.
“Gotta smoke?” you queried.
As I delivered the cigarette
across the table, I watched my hand tremble.
Were you capable of physical harm?
I lowered my eyes -ashamed at my own thoughts.
The fear of you sensing any fear from me,
scared me and yet shamed me.

A man with good intentions asked
if you were bothering me.
“No” I replied in honesty.
The man did not know
the soul you once held,
the friend you once were.

The old folks asseverate that “you are crazy”.
The young utter “too many drugs”-
some with a glint in their eyes
at the prospect of permanently
being in a state of never, never land.
None of these know you.
None of these know who you were.
Scared of wild blue eyes,
many avoid you.

Do you remember who you were?
Do you know who you are?
Living in endless torment~
incapable of a moment’s peace
I beg to ask of those who judge
Who has stolen the soul
of those blue eyes?


© 2008 J. Michelle Anthony. All Rights Reserved.