Chemotherapy, Day One

A gentle, generator-like whirring As the bag above Drip, drip, drips down the tube And into my arm, One drop at a time, The first bag full. (white cells massing, Battered and bruised, But doing their best) After, a flush Then bag two, Smaller this time (little brother) More clear liquid on a mission Until all drops delivered. Done. Then home, With eleven prescriptions (to add to the four I already have) - Why not?! Chemotherapy Day One, And only one tube into me today (On my last stay in November, 2021, There were nine Into and out of me.) Things are looking up! Simpler now, but scarier And more complex - All three. Comings and goings Throughout the day And ah, the life stories That fill every bed and treatment chair All along the Oncology Day Ward corridor. This ward - How is it that this place Can bring such unexpected Brightglimpses Of positivity, encouragement, Peace and well being? It does, though, Somehow, Someway - Like today.