It Helps When I Write It Down

When I first learned of Dad's cancer I sat alone in the dark one night - crying, swearing. And then I wrote this.

Tragic, indignant
the final curtain
And as end nears
only pain is certain
As others go on
Choice - ignorance
“too busy” to come
they sit on the fence
Frail & tired
your mind won’t keep still
wrinkles hold stories
of the opening bill
Faded photos
(but only a few)
can't tell them all
they’re stored deep within you
As it feeds on you slowly
then knocks you out cold
Death is a vulture
Heartless and bold
Unforgiving
Cares not who you are
random selection
all even par
It comes unannounced
Doesn’t knock upon entry
Just barges right in
leaves you cold, dry & empty
Mindlessly numb
then, unknowing, a tear
too frightened to move
frozen in fear
Alone in the dark
silent you cry
can’t make a sound
insides screaming why??
And amidst all the chaos
you struggle for answers
of this uninvited guest
who calls himself
cancer.