Shifting Worlds
by Claire Scott

The word Cancer stuck in my throat
like a fishbone from seared trout
cancer was for others while I made soup
and brought bouquets of Alstroemeria
I free-fell into a world of Waldenstrom
Free Lambda Light Chains
Lymphocytes Absolute
my calendar sprinkled with appointments
like too much salt on popcorn

Yet I got used to this new world
little appetite, little cooking
a cancer card tucked in my pocket
an excuse to skip digging dandelions
or feed the neighbor’s feral cats
time to crash on the couch with a book
and listen to Schubert sonatas
neighbors with sympathetic smiles
stopped by with ravioli and roast chicken

Now that world is gone
Remission said the doctor
a champagne celebration, friends cheering
then the ground gives way
not possible to go back to the pre-cancer world
no cure for Waldenstrom
but the cancer card expired
no scaffolding left, only shadow shapes
in an unreal world
please don’t forget me



 

Return to: