IS ICE CREAM A DECISION? (for Nancy)
Yes. It’s a bittersweet decision,
after having no choice.
After days and months at the cancer center,
poison being dripped into her body;
mental fog, nausea and fatigue
the narrowed focus of her life.
After a part of her has been severed;
her flattened chest the insult
of survival.
After beams of radiation
have burned away the strays.
After weight loss, hair loss, loss
of appetite for almost a year.
With the doctor’s encouragement to eat
whatever she wants now, whatever tastes good,
hell yes!
She decides on mint chocolate chip.
4 thoughts on "IS ICE CREAM A DECISION? (for Nancy)"
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good description, good sounds, good phrases (e.g. “insult of survival”), good rhythm
Kathleen – I love so many words in this poem. ‘radiation’ burns away ‘strays’ – her life’s ‘narrowed focus’ – ‘part of her has been severed’ –
Kathleen – What a powerful poem! Sad, heartfelt, beautiful. “her flattened chest the insult of survival” – Love!
Yes, the “flattened chest” line is really powerful.