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Scottish Charity Register No. SC043760

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Healing art (Issue 129)

November 01 2020
Chris Bird: “Art is part of my recovery from mental health problems. ln a society where money is the priority it is tough to be on the margins. Creating something makes you feel worthwhile and connects with other people. The portrait is of a friend on the psychiatric hospital ward l was on, who, like me, experienced homelessness.” © Chris Bird Chris Bird: “Art is part of my recovery from mental health problems. ln a society where money is the priority it is tough to be on the margins. Creating something makes you feel worthwhile and connects with other people. The portrait is of a friend on the psychiatric hospital ward l was on, who, like me, experienced homelessness.” © Chris Bird

Morning on Beech Ward is a poem by George Robertson

“I was recently discharged from Bolton Hospital where I spent one month after being placed under Section 2 of The Mental Health Act. During my section I was told I had been evicted and therefore rendered officially homeless. I picked up a copy of the Pavement at the reception and found it a thoroughly good read. It mentioned to get in touch for poetry related topics. So, here is a poem I penned during my section.”

Waking up to drink bitter coffee and smoke cheap, imported cigarettes,
to talk about broken bones and bad acid trips,
to talk about morning shits and watch maniacs pace the halls arguing with God

Waking up,
because you have to wake up – to drink your bitter coffee and smoke your cheap, imported cigarettes
because if you didn't wake up – you couldn't talk about broken bones, bad acid trips, morning shits, or watch the maniacs pace the halls arguing with God

Waking up, because you are still alive, and when finally you do not wake up somebody else will
and they will drink their bitter coffee, smoke their cheap, imported cigarettes
talk of broken bones, bad acid trips and morning shits
and it is them who will watch the new maniacs, pace the new corridors and argue with new gods.

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October – November 2024 : Change

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