By Jackie Chou
Pico Rivera, California, USA
Having a mental illness
you’re no fresh-faced
one-time jailee
ready to be released
back to society
Nor are you a teen girl
leaving the mountains
where you were raised
to go to college
get two master’s degrees
and write a book
Having a mental illness
you carry
its invisible bars
on your back
for your entire life
With proper treatment
the gnawing symptoms
are kept at bay
so are the locked wards
and prison doors