Thursday, June 23, 2022

Frances Farmer under committal and the last act

cut to the asylum like any prison set and you can forget the Hayes Code

roll up for the hydro-baths, locked up for hours or days, the cast of loonies 

real sound turned up, no special effects, no script

 

Dr Freeman wields lobotomy tools, shock-treatment with Dr Frankenstein

orderlies hosing you down or whatever they desire or take


and you encountered the self that the artist is always watching 

watching you failing to live, so you knew this diverse-converse 

of the twins on the same journey, not always parallel 

 

two bottles of Scotch on bad days, cold food growing a fungus

on the greasy plate because reading Dr Jung makes sense 

alcohol is spiritual for the untenanted


what a finale: tricked as the carer for unfaithful parents

released from Steilacoom ‘unsane’ after being stamped ‘insane’

uncommitted while previously committed 

by parental legal seal and signature 


the afternoon TV show, the Ford Edsel for appearing 

on This is Your Life like an asylum matron, recanting— 

just time to write the memoir after reading Emily Dickinson


narrative of unremitting pain, unforgotten drunk-driving charges

from the ever present past, police cells, court appearances 

lover after lover, marriages and divorces 

as publicity and career profile 


cut to a domestic swimming pool, some good neighbours

the last lover (female), and to do death solo off camera


-Kevin Kiely 

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