Rooksdown 1972
- Jim Read
- Jul 7, 2024
- 1 min read
I have been coming here for seven months
I've made four lampshades, three ashtrays and two footstalls
Nothing has changed
The medication hasn't worked
Slows me down, body and mind
I disappear into the walls
On Thursday - in two days' time
I will be given a general anaesthetic and a muscled relaxant
Electrodes will be clamped to my head
A current of 800 milliamperes will pass through my brain
for several seconds
inducing a convulsion
This procedure will be repeated twice a week for five weeks
The distance to the gate is 80 yards.
This is so strong in imagery and sub text. Love it
As we said at the workshop, a powerful work, with the linguistic techniques employed, intentionally or otherwise -though mainly intentionally!
I think this a good example of the power of what I understand to be "showing, not telling ". No adjectives, no adverbs but maximum impact. Great.