CW: Childhood cancer
A poem about my young child’s battles with cancer.
Each time your lips
are pale like snow
Each time you complain
of aching bones
Each time you sleep
for hours a day
Each time a cold
won’t go away
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Each time like these
flash memories
Each time the years
of suffering
Each time, 3, much
worse than before
Each time you cried,
“No more! No more!”
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Each time red blood
drips from your nose
Each time a purple
bruise that grows
Each time a reminder
Of strength and grace
Each time you
Stared fear in the face.
Lisa Molina is a writer in Austin, Texas. She has taught high school English, was Associate Publisher of Austin Family Magazine, and now works with students with special needs. Her writing can be found in numerous online and print journals including Beyond Words Magazine, Trouvaille Review, and Neologism Poetry. Twitter @lisabmolina1