Invisible Enemy
driving to work is a regular part of the day for her,
but the specialised hospital is too far -
twenty-five days, exactly at nine!
the best option is the subway ..why not?
instead of watching those busy roads,
immersing herself in a peaceful reverie !
peaceful reverie? deep into thoughts!
radiation is the best option too, for the disease,
at this stage of cancer, probably,
that’s how the doctor felt, once done,
she should be safe - optimism prevails...
chemo? clinical trial? unanswered questions.
a polite strong gentleman with kind eyes - Doctor Wunder is very hopeful ...
the sarcoma didn’t touch her other organs, not yet!
that’s a very good sign..."We will take it out, you will be as good as new."
when he talked, he sounded like an angel!
an angel - who can heal magically by touching!
she sighed - she wanted to believe in miracles.
that night she dreamed of her grandma - reading to her-
in the quiet tranquil afternoons, on a patio surrounded by
serene fragrant jasmine creepers - was Karen's job....
she read grandma's favourite novels with her best emotive voice,
and grandma listened eagerly to what happened to the girl
who rebelled against her parents, and left home with the boy she loved...
until her eyes drooped in tiredness like colourful flowers
in her garden droop, end of the day when birds return home,
when gossamer amber twilight covers the mysterious horizon.
Karen's grandma was only in her fifties - she wanted to live
until Karen became a famous writer,
which she was sure of.
but grandma did not. she fought for five years...
ultimately the cruel disease won, dreaded cancer took her away,
snatched her away from the embrace of the loving family,
the last days were very sad..couldn’t eat or sleep,
and nothing could alleviate her excruciating pain...
still she smiled her sweetest smile, still she prayed to her gods,
she, who Karen loved more than anyone else,
she, who was her best friend and confidante of
her dreams and hopes.
Karen frantically looks for the pendant ..a precious gift from her grandmother,
a beautiful piece of jewellery grandma wore on her wedding day,
today is the day Karen needs her ethereal presence,
it clings to her neck ... a sublime feeling emerges ...
someone is holding her hand, in a tight grip,
and they are walking together bravely
for a very long walk in her life.
this time they are not going to fail.
FIRST PLACE
June 4. 2021
For " Cancer Ivy" Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Chantelle Anne Cook
Copyright ©
Malabika Ray Choudhury
|