We were leaving my lovers flat,
Another lady came out of her door.
“Hello Joy” Mary said,
“Hello Mary” Joy said.
I said hello as well,
I had never seen this lady.
As we walked along the corridor
She was chatting with me,
Her voice carried the sounds of happiness.
We were smiling and talking,
She was off to feed the birds,
Such a happy lady.
As we went our separate ways
I asked Mary about her.
She said “She is very ill,
She has cancer
And only has weeks to live,
As does her son
Who also has cancer”.
I was so shocked,
A lady so ill
But so full of happiness,
Showing that happiness to me.
A lady of accepted resignation to life,
And to life’s end.