Call Me John Doe

By Malcholm Dark

I awake in the hospital with a bandage on my head
A woman in deep lachrymosity sits next to the bed.
Totally relieved she smiles, claiming to be my wife
But I've never laid eyes upon her in all of my life.


I am spoken to by name, a name I can't place
I look into a mirror at this stranger's face.
I have two concerned children, Rebecca and Jim
It pains me so much because I do not know them.


--A memory in limbo, my mind is a blank
as though God almighty is playing a prank.
--Faces of people that I'm suppose to know
are but strangers to me, call me John Doe.


My parents are only two more faces in the crowd
My brain has betrayed me, my mind is in a cloud.
Even my childhood I'm unable to recall
I just cannot remember anything at all.


Dark shadows overcome me and out goes the sane
I have come to this point with unbearable pain.
With a gun and a picture of my children and wife
I shall end all the madness and with it, my life!


--A memory in limbo, my mind is a blank
as though God almighty is playing a prank.
--Death is but another face I don't really know;
Is the face of death better than life as John Doe?


The barrel is cold as it's placed against my head
My finger on the trigger--here soon I'll be dead.
My life now forgotten, my will-power seems gone
When a voice in me cried out, "don't do it Sean!"
Through all my confusion comes an end to the game
Because I just remembered... I remembered my name.


--A memory recovered, my mind is intact
a family united, our happiness brought back.
--Faces of people that are familiar to me
are strangers no more, John doe is set free!


Unauthorized Copying Is Prohibited. Ask the author first.
Copyright 2010 Malcholm Dark
Published on Wednesday, June 2, 2010.     Filed under: "Fiction" and "Poetry"
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Comments on "Call Me John Doe"

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  • dwells On Friday, April 19, 2013, dwells (4177)By person wrote:

    Aye Malcholm, it just ain the same witoutcha! So good to see your work again on this poem of the day, as I chuckle along my merry way, cheerio to John Doe!

  • A former member wrote: The ending made me smile. Thank you for sharing such an awesome piece.

  • Rowan On Monday, June 7, 2010, Rowan (197)By person wrote:

    Such a great story Malcholm! I thought he was going to take his life but it ended happily. It's nice to have a happily ever after every once in a while on this site. Awesome write.

  • A former member wrote: My heart was pounding when i thought he was gonna shoot but then all turn out to be well and good......great story

  • lupus tenebrae On Wednesday, June 2, 2010, lupus tenebrae (860)By person wrote:

    Another brilliant piece Dark I actually went through that phase as a child after I took a rock to the head, being at the point where you know there's something you should remember but you can't, it would be a sad existence, well done. Scholar

  • A former member wrote: I think if I lost my memory it would be a good thing...Nice story MD Scholar

  • alex herewane On Wednesday, June 2, 2010, alex herewane (149)By person wrote:

    Its interesting how a moment can have such a huge impact on our decissions. well done

  • A former member wrote: Amnesia is such a terrifying idea, and the way you dealt with it here was great. This was excellently worded. :)

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