Say It Ain't So

[Chuck Stromme]

Say It Ain't So
by Chuck Stromme

She's gonna die soon son
Say it ain't so
There's nothing to do son
You'll have to let go

A second opinion
There’s really no need
It’s growing inside her
A poisonous weed

Say it ain’t so Doc
Say it ain’t true
It can’t be her time yet
There’s so much to do

There’s so much to see yet
There’s so much to feel
So much I ain’t said yet
Please say it ain’t real

Up in Seattle
They’ve found something new
And sometimes it works
But not likely for you

Surgery first
By a medical group
Chemo is next
It’s a poisonous soup

Her hair will fall out
Have you ever seen that
She’ll shiver and puke
At the drop of a hat

And when it’s all done
Should she live until then
Radiation is next
She’ll be dangerously thin

It’s very expensive
And hurts like a beast
So don’t get your hopes up
No not in the least

This isn’t a promise
We can’t guarantee
Anything will work out
It’s just wait and see

It’s just wait and see
But I’d take any chance
To stay with the girl
That I brung to the dance

The thirteen years since then
Have gone by so fast
Her sixty days left
A bad memory passed

I often forget about
How much I've prayed
For the things that I have
And how little I’ve paid

But when I go to bed
I’ll remember to say
Honey I love you
It’s been a great day

[Chuck Stromme]

No tears for the writer, no tears for the reader.

I added, then just removed, two of the verses near the end. Can't quite make up my mind but "less is more" may apply.

I admit to the Green Eggs and Ham style. I didn't intend that, it just turned out that way. I'm OK with it, though. It is what it is, as they say.

[Kathryne Nelson]

Wonderful story! I could relate so well about having someone you love sick. You wrote it so well. I felt your fear, love and confusion all at once! Keep your thoughts coming. It really helps to write about these things. Especially if you know your not being judged and you can speak from your heart! Thank you so much for sharing. Kathy

[LC-Hawk]

You constantly amaze me my friend. This time you made me tear up. There is always an ache when you lose someone close to you. Time may heal the wound, but always leaves a scar. From this moment on...

when I go to bed
I’ll remember to say
Honey I love you
It’s been a great day

Thank you

[Chuck Stromme]

Yes, that's the bottom line LC. If you don't say what's in your heart, how will anyone know it's there?

This is a poem of triumph and love, as it's about my darlin' wife and her struggles in 1996. I took out two verses that made it a little clearer but cost something in the effect of the poem. I went with "less is more" but apparently at the expense of adequate clarity. I still think about tweaking the poem but I can't quite come up with anything worth reading.

An old friend wrote today that he is giving this poem to his daughter. Her "terminally" ill husband has just been given a ray of hope for survival and a difficult operation is unexpectedly scheduled in two weeks. We know exactly what that feels like. That he would give her this poem has moved me deeply.

Chuck