Published in mgv_88 'Swan Song' today.

Posted on April 7, 2017 by Bruce Louis Dodson

mgv2_88 | swan song| 04_17
Departure Implicit
by Bruce Dodson


Loretta lives across the street
has cancer
both of us are long of tooth
it happens
but at least I don’t have cancer . . . yet
all of us carry the malicious cells within
waiting for weakness
less immune than yesterday
but she’s a tough old bird
from North Dakota
and offended doctors by refusing treatment costing thousands
hair loss
nausea.
Takes pills for pain
brain tumor headaches
while she waits.
“I’m ready to go,” she says.
Worked thirty years
same job
same place
small office manager/receptionist
eleven months ago she finally gave it up.
Sometimes I think
retirement has killed more of us than cancer.

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