skin and bones
skin and bones,
here then not
here then not.
black and white skeleton
from old childhood cartoons,
melting cherry popsicle
from run-down ice cream trucks,
delicate woman i adored
from across the river.
slurs of unwanted thoughts and words
in the midst of conversation,
fading eyes and facial expressions
in the confines of the blue chair,
weakened mind and body
in the depths of the hospital.
fragile muscles and bones
from the chemo and radiation,
strained voice and cracked lips
from the malnutrition and dehydration,
waning fighting spirit
from the stress of it all.
skin and bones
skin and bones,
here then not
here then gone.