The Last of Everything

She fought gallantly
but the cancer reappeared

spreading beyond her ovaries
the end was near

no alternate route
for the days that remained

she was determined to fit in the last of everything
her last trip to Disneyland with the best of her friends

they entered the hospital
to whisk her away

to spend time with Mickey Mouse
in the happiest place for a day

later her first sip of cocktail was also her last
her last round of golf too weak to play nine

the last time she sat in her favorite chair,
held her grandbaby,

kissed her two sons,
argued with her husband,

then lay next to him, safe in his arms
before her last meal

oatmeal with brown sugar
she could barely taste it

too weak from too many days of struggling.
According to all experts she shouldn’t be dying

her mother was still alive at eighty-five
she exercised regularly and kept her weight down

all of that didn’t matter when the doctor said,
"Get your affairs in order,

there is little else to be done."
Her last prayer was to go quick

she was tired of fighting
but hadn’t given up her desire for living

her last glass of water
was crystal and clear

sunlight like kisses on both of her cheeks
her family and friends gathered one last time

she brushed her hair and smiled for the camera
to create a memento to last long after she was gone.

In Memory of Karen who died much too young.