Mom, you have cancer

Ovarian cancer

Advanced

Prognosis, grim

I will tell you this weekend

When we can absorb the terrible news

Together without distraction

I know I will tell you

And within a few moments

Tell you again

And you might recall

Or not

For after a moment

What I tell you

Typically vanishes

But this…….?

I watch

As the ominous winter storm clouds approach

I watch

As your autumn shadows etched into my soul begin to retreat

Stealing with them the mind’s gallows that swallows whole

 Your memories lost each day

I watch

Each day as you sleep a little more, eat a little less

I wait

For the storm has yet to begin and though all past ravages

Will be swept aside

Like pebbles against a tidal wave

I hope

For the storm to be a gentle spring shower

Avoiding the torrential blasts that in the end bring calm

But in their wake create chaos and anger and pain

I see no spring saplings on this horizon

No daffodils

No cherry blossoms

I pray

For the words that I will need today

And the strength we will need tomorrow

As we look ahead to a horizon unknown