He
Was a cancer
Dug in, rooted
Wrapping tightly 
Into everything
he touched,
Nary a care. 
She waited
for specialists
And medication
To fix it
Make it better
Everything worked
for a moment
Then reverted
To tangles
Immobility
And pain
He
Was a cancer 
Until she  
Was the surgeon
Hacking away 
Like her life
Depended on it
Not knowing 
If she would heal
Or find his poison
Systemic
Only deciding
That whatever life
She had left
It was hers.