The Tank

[mrnightinggale]

I'm currently a student and wrote this today, after my 2nd day in a Adult Acute Psych unit. Pretty much all patients are on 72 hour hold and suffer from Axis 1 diagnoses. After several group sessions, I thought writing about it might be a good outlet. Enjoy!

The Tank

Back and forth they swim.

From one end of the to the other.

And back.

Again.

Like sharks, they must never stop swimming, lest they founder.

Others? They are content to move little.

Occasionally chasing intruders from their comfort zones.

Quick bursts of anger they may manifest to defend their turf.

Always on the periphery.

They feed on what drops to the bottom or sticks to the sides.

Some spend their time hiding amongst the rocks and coral.

There is no truly safe place away from the others.

Darkness brings security, yet danger lurks.

They sneak out from their hiding places in short bursts.

Taking the chance to quickly eat and retreat to the comfort of their caves.

Then there are the schoolers.

They hover in the safety of their groups with those like them.

The middle zone is their home.

They gravitate to the safety of the group,

Bonding with metaphors of themselves.

The bubbling diver watches over all.

Omnipresent, the diver provides oxygen for all.

Quickly offering a short glimpse of their treasures in the chest.

Their bursts of bubbles startle the fish.

Yet they provide what all need.

The tank remains.

Providing a place for existence.

Some residents long for a return to the sea.

Others embrace the comfort of the glass walls.

The tank remains.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Very perceptive.