My Silent Teacher Poem by RIC BASTASA

my silent teacher just arrives
from a distant city

her breasts are scanned
on an MRI, and she receives
the cold news:

she has cancer
and the cells have spread
deep to her bone marrow
and spine

she tells me through the phone
without a sob,
her voice strong
and determined like steel

there is no possibility that at
her age of 68,
that she will entertain any invasive
treatment or chemotheraphy,

she is ready and she wants for
God's last roll call.

what a strong woman!
what wisdom!

She ends: Praise be God!
The Giver and the Taker!