The Lion’s Arena

The lions’ arena
is full of medical equipment

The roar of the lions is the
great radiation ring whirring

The crowd leaning forward with
thumbs at the ready

wears chemotherapy gowns

It’s a hot day
and a restless hum is in the air

The masks of everyone’s faces
are beginning to slip

As we enter naked and
shackled the

crowd is hushed

The outcome is anyone’s guess
and God’s to toss into the

arena’s dust we’ve
been since birth

waiting for this moment’s
test

There’s no signal to start
all is already closing in

A star glimmers overhead
for each of us

wanting the best

Our hearts have already
entered paradise

and come to
rest

---

5/28/12 (From Down at the Deep End)

Categories: Poems, Cancer Treatment, Death