Tania Horne Poet Free verse

What I Took For Granted

I took for granted that the 
  seek and destroy action 
   of chemotherapy                     
   would find cancer cells.
           
I knew that this also meant 
 “other dividing cells",
   thus the total hair loss, 
    the low white blood cells.

I took for granted that when
   the cancer was gone,
   I would be mostly well-
    just a little slower.
 
BUT

  This slipping in my mind
   the abrupt shaking of 
    an Etch a Sketch 
    that leaves ghostly lines – 
   
 I follow them like bread crumbs 
   and put on a brave face. 
     I tell you I am fine. 
     I do know your name...

   Telomeres are unwinding- 
    cells aging rapidly now-
     Immunotherapy 
     offers others hope.
  
    I took for granted that I 
     made the right decision
     to take the treatment
     and save my only life- 
    
     I am paying the price, 
      But grateful every day
      I no longer take 
      ANYTHING for granted.

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