Sunday, 23 July 2017

MIDDLE 11. Prognosis

11. PROGNOSIS

Dr Death gave us
The news.
Then we had to tell Clara.

Dr Death, Jill and I
Came to Clara’s room
Told her

The treatments aren’t working,
Medically, no more can be done.

“Get out” Clara snaps,
Furious
“Get out, leave me alone!”

We stepped out, sheepish,
Closed the door,
Left her to…what?
What was she doing?

After a decent interval
We returned, Jill and I.
She was calmer, quiet
Just sad. 

Miserably we discussed details:
The hospital will help
With all medication
To keep her comfortable
But will no longer try
To kill the cancer.

No more chemotherapy,
No more radiation.
(No more
Pumping poisons into her
Well, that’s a relief)

We reassured Clara,
Reassured ourselves,
We’ll keep trying
All possible alternative therapies,
We’ll keep trying.

But
It’s not been a good day.




May 2012

No comments:

Post a Comment