Wolves

This is a narrative poem that symbolizes three friendships I made during my time in Indiana: Mackenzie (for whom I wrote “Mack”), Ty (for whom I wrote “Cornerman”), and Dave. These three fellow patients all possessed wild differences from myself and each other, which is exactly why I cherished them as friends. We spent ample time as a group of four watching movies during free time in the evening. We began by watching my favorite movie, “Shawshank Redemption”. Ty also directed a sort of marathon of biopic movies of Black American musicians, including Ray Charles, James Brown, and The Temptations.

Aside from the more formal treatment I received from the facility in Indiana, knowing these three excellent souls in my time there was perhaps just as therapeutic. I loved each moment I spent with these people. Ty would make me laugh, Dave would make me listen, and Mack would make me think.

These people granted me a certain degree of understanding that I had never before been given. Ty allowed me to bolster my confidence and come into a stronger sense of self. Dave taught me the importance of practicing empathy, rather than judgment. Mack allowed me to realize dormant parts of my soul and to value emotional and creative expression.

I really did think of them as a sort of unconventional family when I was in Indiana, hence the whole “raised by wolves” metaphor. Furthermore, they taught this uptight boy from the East Coast how to be a bit more wild.