Sometimes I pay attention in class, really I do...

Said the pyschologist,
who was a determinist
(and a fan of Nietzche)
I'm sorry, but I can't help you
Basically, we're all just trapped
In this prison we call "language"

Said the patient,
who was an optimist
(and a fan of Quixote)
And so it may be that all we've got
Is the power to create

Your cell is only as wretched
As you, yourself make it out to be
Why not find a paintbrush
And cover the walls with flowers?


According to psychoanalytic theory, a person who is psychotic is outside of the realm of language. One moment, I was taking notes; the next, I was writing a poem. And translating it.