Scar Tissue Poem by Jane Tomlin

I've come to this place, my secret place that's not really secret.
People don't know that I'm at peace here, they think I'm happy.
The truth is my Uncle is dying.
Nobody understands his suffering but I do.
They just argue about the effect on their lives if he dies and who gets the house if he does.
I've not seen him for months.
He's given up on life already, he's got that horrible thing that grows and consumes until its drained the life force out of him.

In a way he brought it on himself.
I just don't want to bury another relative.
It's been so hard trying to cope with school, home and my free time.
My secret place distracts your mind and challenges you.
I've not been close to him but I want to help only I don't know what to do or say.
They say its growing again now; even after the chemotherapy.
I don't think he'll last much longer a few more months at the most.
I don't want to get depressed again like I did before.
The wounds have scarred now I don't want to open them up again.
How the blood flowed freely last time.
At least my secret place keeps my mind off my Uncle
and his Lung Cancer.