Bio: A former collegiate offensive lineman and football coach for 26 years, Dan Provost’s poetry has been published both online and in print since 1993.  He is the author of 15 books/chapbooks.  His latest, Wolf Whistles Behind the Dumpster was released by Roadside Press in November 2022.  He has been twice nominated for The Best of the Net and has read his poetry throughout the United States.  He lives in Berlin, New Hampshire with his wife Laura, and dog Bella.Lorazepam Blues

Shamed from self-hatred,
he shuffled
to the med cabinet.

Taking the bomb
that puts the patient
down, out, and
unconscious.

Sure, he should have
been off the stuff years ago.

But shrinks continued to
appease…	

Rationalizing, the peace of
sleep outweighs the potential

downside—

Such as addiction & overdose.

Sexton Crumpled within stifling innuendoes—detractors claimed her words on mental illness were some kind of “star-search” shtick. Sexton endured…