Nature's Ecstasy

I created this free verse poem for my mother, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer in December of 2013.

I

The trees use

their branches
reaching out for a grab
like a group of lusty men


fire embraces the trees
devouring their branches
for it wants a taste


rain is putting out the fire
salivating in its own seduction


earth slugs as hard as it can
engulfing raw strengths


wind chills the air
freezing the rain to snow
mocking feebleness

the trees use

their branches
to take cover from the wind
itching for that grab again

II

The hands reaching in
cutting and removing organs


incisions burning
creating a body of scars


malignant cells flowing
drowning in their own mutation


emotions are overwhelming
inhaling drugs
hoping for a miracle


pain steals the air


generously


chemo stops it in place
the desolation
of a body