Manic
build an entire model train set in one night
use multiple gages if necessary
write a hundred poems
all really bad and perfect
disagree with every opinion
be the unsubstantiated debater you always hated
get angry with strangers for being strange
and those close to you for being close
drive your car too fast
spew forth profanities in public
glare at the acne faced teenager with green hair
he retorts with a glance
too close
balk at the anti-psychotic drugs
the mood stabilizers
and the anti-depressants
Epival, Lithium, Zyprexa, Prozak, Zoloft
SHOCK THERAPY
you are not bipolar, you feel so energized
argue with old people because they are old
flatter the young for their virtues
their successes and their opinions are not yours
politics, you take
oh so personally
and then the medicine kicks in
you find some perspective
you finally feel ashamed of yourself --
you and your manic mouth
and hands