Poems by Patients

I Never Told Anybody

I'm sitting here and wondering

How many are going to ask me to dance tonight

I wonder should I dance

Because maybe they won't laugh at me

And I could have fun

The steps don't seem to have changed too much

I could still wiggle my feet, I guess

Maybe someone will notice me keeping time with my feet

And will take the hint that I would like to dance,

--Margaret Whittaker, age 50

Untitled

Swinging down the avenue

Dancing, curving

With all them cats looking at me

Hollering "Do it, Miss Mary, do it!"

Curving with all of them cats on my trail.

--Mary L. Jackson, age 93

Quiet

The quietest night I remember

Was going out deep-sea fishing.

Me and my friend were way out on a rowboatfishing.

We caught a lot of fish.

All the stars were shining

The ocean was quiet

The wind was quiet

And we were quiet.

And the fish were biting.

--Leroy Burton, age 62

The Call

Something soft and gentle

Glides through your fingers

And it seems to grab your hand and lead you

On to something greater

If only you had the sense to follow it.

--Nadya Catalfano, age 94

(c)Kenneth Koch, 1977.

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