My Sister Has Cancer
Image created on Canva
I’m going to see my sis today.
She loves when I tell
her stories. [Laugh.] So I’m
wearing my fossil bracelet with
a chambered nautilus [66 million
years old]; Amber [I’ll make up
a date]; A shark tooth — not a fossil.
Removed from some poor
shark or surfboard. I’ll tell
her, “If I ever meet a shark
I’ll show him I have one of
his teeth, but he has none
of mine…yet.”
I’m also wearing other bracelets.
The cartographer’s coordinates
of Chicago — our home. The prayer
of St. Francis. “Make me an
instrument of Thy peace”
[Though I’ve never proclaimed
any success at this]. All
my favorite punk rockers. First
a little Sonic Reducer.
The Dead Boys. [Angst.] Next to
meditation, Episcopalian
style. [Grief.] Finally, the
best — my dearest sister. Have
happy days. They are
…numbered.
Looking for more to read? Try some of these pieces from MockingOwl contributors and writers.
- Life After Death – Poetry
- I Love You! I’ll Miss You. Say Hi! – Poetry
- Beyond Words Unspoken – Essay
- Letting Go – Poetry Reading
Martha Ellen
Martha Ellen lives alone in an old Victorian house on a hill on the Oregon coast. Retired social worker. History of social justice activism. Worked for the NFWA [Farm Workers] in the 60s. MFA in painting and drawing. Two grown children; four grandchildren – the joys of her life. She writes to make sense of the long and winding road.
