At thirteen I was
Nicknamed Smiley
Because I had a ready Smile
I was Clever at School
Worked Hard
And got a 75% Average in 6 Subjects
And I did it all for a Stereo
But I was
Born to a Family
Where Mental Illness
Makes People
Treat You
As if You are
Less
Than
Mortal
Young People
Need the Dignity
Of Work
To fit
In the Community
That is What I see

As the Future
Of Psychiatric care
Don't Condemn
+ Pity
Stand Alongside
As Comrades
Would We Look
Upon a Shell Shocked Soldier
With anything other than Respect
That is what the Psychiatrically Disabled People
Need Most
We Protect Society from the Mentally Ill
I Believe the Reverse
Is Desperately Needed