Bipolar Poems Before & After Lithium

Fifty years have passed since Gene Olson spent many a lonely night on fire and security watch at the Guam Naval Transient Barracks. With long hours, no books or magazines, and only a lizard as company, he picked up a pen and paper and began writing poetry. Though once dead, these pages have been resurrected in his new book. Bipolar Poems: Before and After Lithium is a fascinating poetry collection that spans half a century. Some of the poems were written during Olson's time in the military, before he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and treated with lithium, offering an interesting contrast with his work of later years. These poems are raw, courageous, compelling, and entertaining-shedding some much-needed light on the shadows of mental illness. I was trying to catch my ship The USS Tioga County (LST-1158), last seen somewhere in Vietnam waters. No one knew her exact whereabouts. In Guam I was assigned at the Naval Transient Barracks as an all night Fire and Security Watch. Once an hour I would walk through the barracks and then call a report to the OD, Officer of the Day. I would also collect orders from late sailors and assigned sleeping quarters etc. All through the night I had only one companion. A lizard was hiding behind a large oval clock. When a fly came near, he would slowly crawl out. His tongue was swift, the fly had no chance! With many hours, no book, no magazines, I picked up a pen and paper and started writing poetry. It was poetry only for myself. I never showed it to anyone. I never dreamed someday it would be published. Fifty years have passed since my poetry attempts started on the Guam Naval Transient Barracks. BIPOLAR POEMS BEFORE AND AFTER LITHIUM, was partly gathered over this time period. Though once dead, the pages have been resurrected. I sometimes wonder if these poems are worthy of print at all. Or if I'm just being a Proud Peacock. Time will tell.