East River Esplanade

We emerged from Grand Central Station, Both ill, alarmed at our situation Like two invaders, erupting forth My twin went south, and I went North I jaywalked reckless nearly hit by a car. Then saw a bridge over the FDR I wondered what price would be paid On autopilot, I came on to the Esplanade The pavement was wide, hexagonal tiled The water was brilliant, turbulent wild It mixed and whirled, restless and free Yet ever drawn toward the devouring sea. I got to the hospital, there was a nurse She asked me questions from bad to worse She seemed to have heard of my bad reputation Briefly, I dreamt of Grand Central Station. Then she asked me if I thought of self-harm I said no, hoped she wouldn't push the alarm. The doctor came, showed me the MRI He flipped the sections, from my brain to my eye We discussed options, if benign and if not The biopsy would need x-rays to guide it to the spot the tumor showed white, by the salivary gland I turned white too, but stayed in command Then I walked back, on the esplanade Thinking life isn't fair, the price never paid Was this all set in motion, when I made past mistakes? Should I be angry or was it just the breaks? Act of nature? Act of men? Either way Life's river flows on, from the stream to the bay.