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.
Copyright ©
Gem Stone
|