A Reprieve

the cancer hasn't spread,

the nodes are clear

a reprieve

     the woman who works

for housekeeping

had a birthday yesterday

and celebrated with her family--

today she showed me the photos 

     the nurse who loves

Bedford Farms Purple Cow

headed there after her shift

     the assistant nurse went for crackers 

to drown out the taste 

of a bitter medicine drink

     the doctor came in his scrubs

to assure me that the blackness 

was normal and would abate

the cancer hasn't spread

now dear lord - if you can slow

down the black blood 

but a reprieve

give thanks