Board And Care

After twenty-one years in this Board and Care,

Also known as an Adult Residential Facility, where

I’ve learned to obey all the rules, keep to myself,

And to take all of my medications on time.

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In earlier decades I would have been placed

Into a State Mental Hospital but all that changed

With President Kennedy signing into law the

Community Based Housing Program for all.

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The front desk is open 24 hours seven days

A week in case of any emergency, and the

courtyard has a cold but clean pool with

Palm trees all around. There is an activity room

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Open most days with a TV room open every day.

They serve three meals a day and the Philippine

Cooking is great lately. Our psychiatrist visits

Every other month and I see my family on holidays.

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You can tell this poem was written by a sedated mind,

But I’ve grown tired of some of the “old poems”

As more philosophy than art; so I’ve decided to

Open up a channel of creativity that’s new.

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