Cancer Circa 1967
CANCER circa 1967
It ate away at compassion
chewed ragged the edges of love
hard breath drawn through clenched teeth
fighting the whisper
denying the thought
“why can’t she just let go….and die?”
However long it was, was too long.
To watch hopelessly
mindlessly, angrily
as she lay in a drugged stupor
IV’s supplying sustenance
but no relief for her
or for us.
She did eventually let go….and die.
It brought no closure for us
only the angst of anger’s guilt
the emptiness of hope’s folly
and the sadness of wishing it so.
6/6/2021
Cancer Ivy Poetry Contest
Copyright © John Lawless | Year Posted 2021
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