24
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A friend's daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 23. The day of surgery just happened to be on her 24th birthday. She was supposed to be taken into surgery early in the morning, but she had to wait all day until mid-afternoon before they finally took her. All day she couldn't eat or drink anything. Friends and relatives from the East Coast to California were wishing her a happy birthday and a successful surgery. Emotions ran high. It was very surreal. When they finally took her to surgery we didn't know if she would live or die. I wrote this poem for her and her mom that same night after I left the hospital.
24 begins with its cruel rule:
"No sustenance or quenching of thirst
until the sad/happy day passes”
Caring women with initials enter
Poking, prodding, asking the same questions,
While loved ones nervously watch
Close friends, friends, and strangers
Phone and visit, offering their comforting words
"We love you." "We're praying for you”
"Make a pact with God" "Chin up!" "Think positive!"
Their messages intermingle with disquieting thoughts
Of hopes and dreams left unfulfilled
"Why me?" "What now?" "I’m too young for this ...”
As hunger gnaws, and expectation is postponed
Caring women with initials enter one last time
Poking, prodding, asking the same questions,
As the pushers of the bed arrive with their benign smiles
Unwanted darkness returns
As uncommon mortals work at their bizarre craft
Opening the golden bowl
Exposing its precious contents
East and West Coast loved ones,
Separated by time and circumstance,
Carry on their prayerful vigil
As 24 continues
Surrounded by love
Sustained by hope
Copyright © 1994-2018 by Mark Toney. All rights reserved.
Image credit: Out of the darkness | Photography by Thomas Toft | via Flickr
Copyright © Mark Toney | Year Posted 2018
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