For a Stranger

at some point
cells decided
to divide;
a greedy,
molecular army

knives and hands
do battle against
what is unseen;
an invisible
invasive foe

Thursday came

he was happy
just to get out of -
his four walls
the new battle

it didn't matter
that no one knew
what to say

drugs numb
the skin, tender
around the incision

but are worthless
at helping him
maintain small talk,
make conversation

his mind walks
the line inside -
pacing with anger,
dread, fear, and
resolve at better
moments

again, intangible

I visualize the
small army
disintegrating

moving away,
pulling back,
dissolving

it's the least I can do

:hrr