For Elisha
 
I.
 
I am sure you felt its shadow
 locomotive smoke growing thicker
that plumule bomb  
of hazardous waste  
pulverizing the landscape  
of your lungs  
 
There are so many cliches
for a time like this. . .
 
‘Take care of you’
‘It will be alright’
‘I’m so sorry’
‘I’m here if you need me’
'What can I do'
 
But the truth is
it hurts to concentrate  
on a war game
of chemotherapy
and radiation roulette  
 
II.
  ...