There are days
when the sickness
is so great
I think
it cannot
be borne

And yet it is

one breath
at a time
one doggie
cuddle
at a time

And when
the face
in the mirror
shows how
clearly
my body
is ravaged
with sickness
and disease

and I break
down
into sobs
that shake
the very
essence of me

He is there
never far
to hold me
until I can let go
and hold
onto myself
again

I think
that must be
what love is

Knowing when
to hold on tight
and when to let go

It is
a sickness
that can’t
be borne
but it is

through
great
and small
acts of love
and mercy