38. Cancer Arcade

The same day that Mom

rang the bell to signal her last chemo

(again)

 

her sister started her first cancer treatment,

and

my dad’s brother stopped his cancer treatment

for good.

 

That same day my soul went

“tilt,”

like a pinball machine nudged too hard,

 

locking out further play. The steel

ball returned to its pocket, ready

for another game, another round.