Stroke

Stroke

Risk factor
Born Black in America
to an urban slum.
To poor, to be accepted
into public housing.

Risk factor (my right arm is numb)
Forty years of working,
knowing, going home
was never a given.
A steady diet of fast food,
takeout Chinese and pizza
are considered healthy options

Risk factor (hearing is fading, can’t speak)
Blood pressure, sugar elevated,
Doctor repeats his sermon
But stress is a lifelong constant.

Risk factor (seven minutes)
Everything feels normal.
T.I.A., oh a mini stroke.
Small clot is in the left side of brain
Three days in a hospital
and a heart monitored
for a month … heart normal!

Risk factor,
During mother’s visit
It was revealed, mini strokes
runs in the family.
How long can I beat the odds?