Six Syllables, Two Words

by Sallie Crotty

When the doctor told me my diagnosis,
I measured the syllables in each word
Bi-po-lar Dis-or-der
Six syllables, two words

Stars shattered
across the blue of my eyes
and my hands clasped in prayer

Now I say this language over and over
Over and over
The long o
An utterance of air
Breathe out, breathe out
Bi-po-lar Dis-or-der