The Heartless Indifference

by Dave Stover

I
Cells buried but accumulating
masses, wrapping around
absorbed into undistilled parts,
calling to their healthy neighbors;
the completed, coupled
unrestricted, and unafflicted.

II
The cells, taking sides,
steal life, happiness. Dispassionately
…“slumped in her wheelchair, a portable
oxygen tank at her side,” the cells
stand watch, active gate keepers, oblivious
to tears, sobbing, dreams vanishing, scars
occurring, returning, tumors expanding.

III
The heartless indifference, a cold hairless
scalp as if shorn to display another icon
to the human’s transient nothingness.
The grandchildren look at the “strawberry
blonde wig,”
fixed stares processing the scene of life,
maybe death. Not responding.

IV
The cells indiscriminant but taking sides
don’t care. They steal life. They are happy
at destroying happiness.
“Cancer,” she said, “and needles.
I hate needles. Hate’em.”

**** **** **** **** **** **** **** ****

Quotes from The Denver Post, Feb 1, 2009
Grandmother, teen share cancer – and love

Published in the Progenitor, 2009
Arapahoe Community College
Littleton, Colorado