a cup of crazy

we have a long
drive tomorrow
the woman tells you
as she stops her story
about the most recent
visit to her doctor.
you welcome the change
of topics, no longer
wanting to hear
about her bunions,
ulcers, and rashes.
where are you going,
you ask her quickly
before she rolls up
her purple pant leg
to show you a vein.
me and Charles, my
husband, he's in the
other room watching
another show about
world war two, but
we are going to west
Virginia. oh, how nice
you say. backing slowly
to the door. relatives?
friends up there?
oh no. we're going up
to visit the insane
asylum, it's been shut
down for years, but
you can take a tour
through the building.
they show you where
the lobotomies took
place and the electro
shock treatments.
sometimes they put the crazies
into a tub of ice water.
you can even get in them.
can you imagine that?
when you stand in the cells
and spread your arms,
you can almost touch
each wall. sounds like
fun, you say. do they
have any souvenirs, stuff
you can buy in the gift
store. yeah, yeah, she
says. they have some old
straight jackets,
and things like that,
manacles, and guard
hats, or batons.
we bought two coffee
cups last year that have
a picture of the building
and name under it.
they're in the kitchen if
you want me to go get
them, won't take just
a second. oh, no please.
I should be going.
have a great trip tomorrow.