If I Had Known Gert Had Cancer

If I had known Gert had cancer I might have backed off.
No, you wouldn’t have.
How do you know?
I know you.

But if I had known it was the last time I would see her.
I might have…..
Her voice trails off.
She catches herself in her own lie.
She feels badly now.

There was no reason to act the way she had.
Maybe she will do better next time.
There is no time left now.
She picks up the phone.

To call her other sister.
To ask about the arrangements
Wishing she could call Gert’s children
But not feeling she should dare.

If I had known Gert had cancer I might have backed off.
No, you wouldn’t have.
How do you know?
I know you.

But if I had known it was the last time I would see her.
I might have…..
Her voice trails off.
She catches herself in her own lie.
She feels badly now.

There was no reason to act the way she had.
Maybe she will do better next time.
There is no time left now.
She picks up the phone.

To call her other sister.
To ask about the arrangements
Wishing she could call Gert’s children
But not feeling she should dare.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Hankins Avatar
November 9, 2021 at 10:36 AM
So many times we believe we would have acted different "if we had only known." And since we won't ever know, I'm not sure.
Krutsinger Avatar
November 9, 2021 at 2:04 PM
Me either but it is a recurring theme in families
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace