The Diagnosis
Some Dark Light Verse
The Diagnosis The doctor saw his face and sighed, and in the silent shock replied: “Some cells, their purposes askew, not doing what they’re supposed to do, are claiming space inside of you.” The patient somehow understood this deviation from the good, and thought: When did it all begin— genetics? Some specific sin? Youthful error? Selfish pride? Resentment festering inside? Abuse of body, neglect of soul; an utter lack of self-control— all appetites allowed to reign: indulgence, idleness, disdain, long years of lust and darkened thought. How much of me is really not, all heart and mind pervasive rot? then turning sadly to his wife said, “I’ve had cancer all my life.”
How much of me is really not,
all heart and mind pervasive rot?
I suspect its common to question the "reasons" for such misfortunes as cancer, to look at them in terms of responsibility and guilt. This piece beautifully articulates those questions. Well done.
I came to see my stroke as a gift - the start of a reformation of my life. I have learned since that it is not uncommon to find a major illness to be an occasion of liberation. When reading about your protagonist, I looked for threads that might lead him in this direction. "I've had cancer all my life." There it is.