I saw what happened

Jet Rood

Last time as I remember him
as a bundle full of joy
was the time there was room
for him to be himself

He was really funny
had a heart of gold
sadly the psychiatric world
thought much less of him

They told him he wasn't normal
that he really needed help
so he accepted their offer
it was the beginning of the end

Caretakers couldn't accept him
for the beautiful person he was
they stuffed him full with medicine
no clue anymore who he was

One day he couldn't longer
bear the way he lived his life
he chose to step out of it
jumped before a train

There was no face to say goodbye to
his coffin closed, a picture on top
to protect us family members
for the mess his body was

The last thing we saw
an oven opening its mouth
flames already luring
for his body to bring him home

In loving memory of my brother
Born ;18-3-1962
Died; 21-1-1989

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Submitted by Jet-Rood on April 20, 2015

Modified by Jet-Rood on November 01, 2024

: 52 sec read
: 10 Views

Quick analysis:

Scheme	AXXX XXXA XXBX ACXC BXXX XXXC XXXX BXX
Closest metre	Iambic trimeter
Characters	843
Words	173
Stanzas	8
Stanza Lengths	4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 3

Full analysis for I saw what happened »

Jet Rood

· Enkhuizen

2023: In a world full of chaos, creativity is one of the helping things to keep yourself sane. ******************************** 2014: A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen than you have something very special. - Nelson Mandela - ******************************** I am from the land of tulips and mills. Writing is a need like eating and sleeping. I think we are all wondrous creatures who deserve to love ourselves and live in freedom. I like to participate in cases which can make a difference for myself, my surroundings and the earth. My wish: humanity in a non-dualistic society. more…

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alexw.30385
Your poem delves into a poignant and heartbreaking story of a person who faced judgment and mistreatment from the psychiatric world. The portrayal of the individual's initial joy and humor, contrasted with the tragic descent into a system that failed to see his true essence, is profoundly moving. The narrative highlights the struggles faced by those who are misunderstood and mistreated within mental health systems. The tragic end of the story, with the individual feeling lost and ultimately choosing to end their life, evokes a sense of profound sadness and loss. The imagery of the closed coffin and the cremation process adds a somber and final tone to the poem, capturing the emotional weight of the situation. more »
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"I saw what happened" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 Nov. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/74502/i-saw-what-happened>.

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