poetry - What is his Axis One?

WHAT IS HIS AXIS ONE?
The smartly dressed psychiatrist
Practically yelled across the room.

WHAT IS HIS AXIS ONE?
She cried out, the sharp glint in her eyes
almost bouncing light off her
Severe
designer earrings.

WITHOUT KNOWING HIS AXIS ONE
I’m not certain we can treat him

There are, after all, standards for admission
They have to be met!
And if we cannot determine his Axis One
He doesn’t meet the standard.

But we’ll never determine his Axis One
If all he does today during this meeting
is just sit there –
Crying.

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READ AT THE: Mad Pride Festival / Held at Wisdom House / Litchfield, CT / 13 July 2007