“Cancer, stage IV”-
neck
axilla
chest
abdomen
groin
Quiet as a graveyard winter,
they forget to breathe;
waxen figures, lined foreheads
As for me, I try to force
acceptance between
shallow inspirations.
The consultant speaks, his eyes
more alive than their faces.
He suggests to me a
new oral drug.
Wife, son, self
ask questions.
I’ll take the drug.
(To swallow all this
alone would be hell) but
family support is excellent-
visits
calls
suggestions
gifts
love
Six months later
I’m whole again.
Was it the pill alone that
worked? Was it the caring?
What, oh what, is healing?
And is it abandonment we
fear more than death?
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