The Madwoman's Son
by Ann Howells


___________________________doesn’t believe
in crazy. He says, Stop it, and Snap out of it.
Sometimes he shouts.

The madwoman’s daughter believes. She
believes anyone who doesn’t think and act
just like her is crazy. If the madwoman mentions
a pretty sky-blue-pink sunset, her daughter snaps,
There’s no such thing as blue-pink! The sky
is lavender! She argues over everything.

The madwoman’s sister believes in crazy,
says, Everyone’s a bit crazy. Some just
haven’t been found out yet. Her sister
doesn’t make her nervous; she remembers
meds when she’s with her sister. And,
if she takes her medicine, then she’s
not exactly crazy anymore, is she?






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