The Thalidomide Shuffle (poem) by Ed Matlack on AuthorsDen

The Thalidomide Shuffle
by Ed Matlack → (All Poetry by Ed Matlack)
Rated "G" by the Author.

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No puns or humor intended here...just another drug that needs recall...

The Thalidomide Shuffle… Through the mental ward halls, Hard to believe they do have any balls, Barely can they walk, harder still to talk, Keeps them from pounding their heads on the walls… Given with a thimble, A shot glass full with juice, Makes one heavy, definitely not nimble, On the bottle a skull and crossed bones symbol… Taken too much, It does become a crutch, Better it is than most in a clutch, It does make you sleep ruining as well your sense of touch… As long as you are not with baby, Not even close, not even maybe, Shown to cause malformations, Unfortunately it is still in use in many nations… Outlawed it should be, If you understood the above you can then this see, Some of the third world nations fail to make a decree, Their mentally ill are treated as just so much debris… © ed ~ 1/30/05

Reviewed by Katy Walsvik (Reader)

Reviewed on January 30, 2005

On behalf of the mentally ill everywhere, through my tears, I thank you for this high-beam, straight-shooting, absolutely true piece, my dear friend.

As the mother of someone with schizophrenia and depression, I fight this fight wherever it rears its head. Today, Eddie M, you are my sunshine!! katy xox

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

A great cause. And there are other drugs out there we geniuses are fond of abusing.

Ron

Reviewed by Judy Lloyd (Reader)

I agree that the mentally ill are treated like garbage.

Reviewed by Tinka Boukes

Insightful read Ed!!

Visit my article page for mor info about the game of cricket!!

A game almost like baseball...just with a different bat!!

Love Tinka

Reviewed by Kate Clifford (Reader)

Mari made an excellent point and I agree this is a good write.

Reviewed by M. B. (Reader)

I like poetry discussing controversial topics, bringing them to the light, forcing those who read the words to ponder and then perhaps to make some changes person by person until a world has been touched. It all begins with words and the risk in sharing them. Well done.

Reviewed by SHERRY HEIM

At first I thought you were thinking of another drug until I saw the part about the mutations of the children of people who take this drug. It had been cast aside for many years but suddenly it is being used again. All countries seem to wish to silence their mentally ill, it is just easier on the staff that cares for them, but what we need to remember is, no matter their ailment, they are human beings first and should always be treated as such.
Take care,
Sherry

Reviewed by Dave Harm

Sad but true. We become so good, at keeping segments of society quiet, so we don't have to deal with it...

Reviewed by Jerry Bolton (Reader)

If this is personal experience speaking here, I feel for you and you are certainly right, something should be done about it.