I HAVE NO ADVICE TODAY

IT COULD BE THAT THE ICE PACK WRAPPED AROUND MY TORSO IS MASKING ANY NEW THOUGHTS, ALONG WITH THE PAIN IN MY BREAST.

WHY I DIDN’T JUST SAY BOOB INSTEAD…? MOST OF THE CANCER BOOKS DO…MAYBE IT’S LIBERATING TO OWN THE CASUAL USAGE, IN THE FACE OF LIFE-THREATENING SCENARIOS.

IT COULD BE THAT IT’S GOOD FRIDAY AND WHILE THERE IS NO RAIN YET, I’M WAITING FOR IT. WATCHING FOR THE WIND IN THE JAPANESE MAPLE OUTSIDE MY BEDROOM WINDOW, TO MAKE ITS MOVE—TWIST AND PICK UP, OR HUSH—A BABY’S RED-FACED SILENCE BEFORE THE SCREAM.

IT COULD BE THE DAYS OF NARCOTICS SWIMMING THROUGH ME. SURGERY NO. 2 AND TOUGHER TO SHAKE.

OR THE KIDS AT SCHOOL, LEARNING THEORIES AND MATH. LEARNING FORMULAS OF NUMBERS AND LETTERS THAT LEAD TO ABSOLUTES—I WASN’T THINKING I’D START THINKING

ABOUT ANSWERS TODAY.

IT COULD BE THE CANDLE NEARING IT’S LAST FEW HOURS OF ROSE.

THE CHURCH, DOORS CLOSED, WHEN I WANTED THE STATIONS AT NOON.

OR THE FRIEND WHO SAYS YES, YES, IT’S ALL POSSIBLE.