For Sophia

Hey cancer
Are you in there?
Spreading your tentacles
Getting ready for the massacre

Yeah. FUCK OFF.
And grow a pair
You are not welcome here

I’m going to reach inside
and pull you the fuck outta me
I’m coming to get you
Run and hide

I know it’s hurting
I know you’re in camouflage
So you can stealth spread
All around my liver and bones and brain
Like a big ole cancer goulash stew
Dripping with blood and cells and gristle and pieces of teeth and fluid that shouldn’t be there

I stretched through my own skin and grabbed your tendril
Tried to pull you right outta me
I got caught on a barb
Spliced me open
And now
My flesh is bleeding into itself

I looked at you
And said
Hey.
Buddy.
Did you hear me?
You ain’t welcome here

Go spread your bits in someone else

Evidently, I won.