With a gun to his head,
he turned off his brain,
which also turned off all
the fear, guilt and pain;
there's no way that he
could go through it again;
you had to know when it was over.
When the cancer came back
he bought a cigar;
lit up in the doctor's
and savored the tar.
He remembered the teacher
who'd said, 'You'll go far';
not much of a prophet, that bollocks!
The doctor leaned forward;
'Now listen, with luck...'
'Don't give me that crap doc,
I don't give a fuck;
I've used it all up by now
and this time, it's stuck,
I don't have the space left for bullshit'.
He asked him the question;
'How long have I got?'
He read the expression;
'I guess, not a lot.
Don't look all embarrassed...
No, I don't need a shot.'
At least not the one that you're offering.
He wrote all the letters,
he needed to write
and he tried to explain -
without sounding too trite -
that by choosing his time,
he was winning this fight;
his dignity, would not be forfeit.
Comments
shoe | January 14, 2010 - 10:20
Really like the last lines not rhyming, gives it real punch and grittiness,
threeleafshamrock | January 14, 2010 - 12:54
Thanks Shirley, dodgy subject matter; I'm surprised that the anti-suicide fairies haven't visited, to call me names but maybe they actually get that, it's not pro-topurself stuff and just a bit of imagination. The word cancer, usually sends 'em scurrying too.
Thanks for reading ;) XXX
Silver Spun Sand | January 15, 2010 - 12:51
What can I say, Chris...except strong stuff, and I for one, sure you know where you're coming from.
You have tackled this controversial subject with dignity and great understanding and empathy. None of us can know how we would react until it actually happens to us, or someone near and dear to us.
Tina XX
threeleafshamrock | January 15, 2010 - 14:15
Thanks a lot Tina. I have known suicide victims and I have seen cancer, up close and personal. I just kind of combined the two. I certainly don't advocate suicide but I don't propose to judge the victims either, God help them!
These two subjects seem to be taboo and I can understand that; until cancer comes to live with you, you only think you know what it's about. In the same way that fear can be blinding, knowledge opens your eyes.
Thanks for reading and thanks for the rather unexpected cherry ;) XXX
Dynamaso | January 18, 2010 - 11:19
Like you Chris, I've know both cancer and suicide. Neither is a pretty thing and, given a choice, if I had the first I'd be doing all the things I shouldn't be doing too. Bloody brilliant work this, mate.
threeleafshamrock | January 18, 2010 - 11:47
Thanks D...Me too ; and thanks for the nice comment ;)