Poetry Friday

I couldn’t imagine living
Without the air I breathe
That used to swell my chest
Where two breasts used to be.
Now with one and a part on the right
And a port inserted in my chest
Swiss cheese in place of what were bones
And pain and fear in place of the rest.
Yes I’d rather imagine this life of mine
Without drug protocols and scans.
I’d rather live more than much less time
And with far less pain and fear.
We are born to die – of course I know it’s true
But it’s quite different if metastatic describes you.
But if everything fell away
And flew into the air right now
And life’s last curtain closed
As I took my last bow
The thing I’d regret to have done without
Is the love I feel right here,
and that I never ever doubt
Because it’s so true and so sincere.

Ilene Kaminsky