Breaking Through the Storms, Part 4

4.

I understand you’re busy,
Still, can you assist me?
          Sister says, Let’s just get through
          The holidays and the boys’ vacation –
          Seems like you’re getting ahead of yourself.
I would like your help with research
So that if I need to make choices
I know I’ve covered my bases.
(I don’t want to do this myself because
I can’t face the deadly statistical language.)
          But it’s Christmas, she says,
          Let’s take this one step at a time,
          It’s too soon to concern ourselves, isn’t it?
I think it may be time to prepare –
The tests may be showing myeloma progression.
          Oh, you think so? she finally acknowledges.
(I pray it isn’t so.)
If you can help me explore the options,
Should the time come, I won’t have to
Make rushed uninformed decisions.
If you don’t want to help, don’t.
I’m not going to get upset.
(I wish she would just do what I request
No questions asked.)

©️ 2025 Laura E. Garrard

Laura E. Garrard is a multiple myeloma thriver and published author living in the Northwest. Her poetry and prose have appeared in journals like The Madrona Project, Amethyst, Silver Birch, TulipTree Review, and others. Garrard has been chosen as a finalist for Bellevue Literary Review's John & Eileen Allman Prize for Poetry and nominated for a Pushcart Prize.