'It's Cancer.' Poem by James Hart

They told her yesterday
In tones that were gentle and quiet
“It’s cancer”
She new it all along
She felt it,
Prepared for it
Was ready for the news:
“It’s cancer”

Yesterday became
An idyllic time of ignorance
She could never go back to
Except in her memories
But even those were
Coloured by her cancer
No, the past was not an escape
From it, only another door into it
The past was yellow-tinged

Today has suddenly become
Frightening and tormented,
She studies herself for new signs
She winces at every new sensation
She wishes she was asleep anew
And it were all a horrid nightmare
Every person she meets
Is a reminder of it
The present is dark, dark black

The future is unknown
A dark, very dark tunnel
A journey she didn’t ask to take
A journey she doesn’t want to take
But a journey she has to take
And alone
Alone
Alone
The future is red, blood red