Surviving Life

"Relay for Life" with costumed teams,

Survivors of cancer, or so it seems,

I can't join them except in my dreams.

Survivors of chemo, nausea, and pain;

Trying to buy time (sometimes in vain),

Years with their loved ones they're hoping to gain.

Back at work, your friends don't know what to say,

As you try to be normal while wasting away...

Excluded from meetings that plan "tomorrow"...today...

Uncomfortable silences, their eyes dart to your feet,

The fear they feel toward you, they don't want you to meet,

Like you'll somehow infect them; awkward attempt at discreet.

They don't know your struggle; they don't know your fight.

You pray for remission each day and each night.

Isolated, they just want you to stay out of sight.

Your family supports you and loves you the same,

But at work they've already excluded your name,

Thinking you can't think or contribute because of what you became.

A "Relay for Life"...everyone should see;

My career was a big part of life to me...

And I just wanted to be treated equally.