Breaking Through the Storms, Parts 5 and 6

5.

Looking into the watery eyes of my mother,
I firmly tell her, I can’t take your tears
Or deal with your emotions.
You need to go outside and cry there
Or talk to Dad when we’re no longer here.
I need my full strength
To handle what lies ahead
In an infusion room in Seattle.
—I take no pride in saying that.

6.

Dad says, spare no expense,
We’re fine, take care of yourself.
We’re here to support you,
Do everything you need to get well.
Are you eating enough?

I’m not wasting away, Dad,
You never recall that I’m small.
What about you, though,
You need to keep walking, play golf,
Remain active, enjoy yourself.
Haven’t you said you want
To live to be a hundred?
I need you here and healthy
More than ever.
(Don’t shuffle your steps short
Because I may die before you.)

©️ 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.