Demented (Revised) Poem by Margaret Alice Second

New earphones too big, sound poor so I put
a thrice-folded piece of paper on my head -
looking weird but listening happily, then our
Chief Director arrives individually greeting
everyone - including me, I pluck the paper
thing off but too late, I’d been seen a clown;
luckily not so bad as the night my daughter

Walked in towing a new friend - I’m standing
in the kitchen, pyjama pants tucked into my
socks like a Cossack getting ready to dance
the trépak, & worse, toothpaste on my face
to rid me of zits, hair standing on edge like
an electric shock victim; couldn’t hide, just
tried climbing in a cupboard in front of me

Can’t remember her friend’s name, hope to
never meet again; when Nici is around the
house is a trap, her acquaintances arrive in
droves any time day or night - interfering with
my sleeping in front of TV, but I’m forewarned,
never again shall I be caught looking like a
demented inmate of an obscure psychiatric

Institution for psychotic & criminally insane