Sanctuary

I'm a blondish plucked chicken

underneath my burgundy scarf

though I thought I was bold and tough

when I cut my hair short weeks ago

ready with wigs and peacock-bright coverings

until the last wisps started their heartless descent

and I wept, sprawled on the bathroom floor

 

waiting my turn, I sit

on the leather chair

magazines unopened on my lap

admitted by default to this curious flock

a sorority I never wanted to join

 

quietly chirping in different languages

draped in cottons, silks, perky knits

exotic birds in festooned plumage

we steal wary glances at one another

 

bald beautiful birds shorn to their essence

stoic smiles, jutting cheekbones, haunted eyes

a thirty-something with a hennaed pate sits to my left

proud and elegant, so cool and hip

until she cries, comforted by her mom

I sigh; she is too young for all of this

 

name called, ID checked again

my chemo cocktail prepared

I play my Indigo Girls and close my eyes

 

I see the others in the room we share

connected to the tubes

tied to each other by strings of understanding

the red poison drips relentless

 

hopeful birds we are all

sometimes we chat

sometimes we huddle quietly under warm blankets

tended to by nurses, family and friends

we hover bravely

not knowing what tonight or tomorrow may bring

praying we will soar again