This week’s poem, written as my son takes his first steps back to a normal young man’s life, after nearly two years that have been only about surviving. There isn’t much I can do to help him now, but rely on the goodness in other people.

Return

He has been through so much

Chemotherapy, radiation

Long days in isolation

Coughing phlem, tears, blood

He has lost so much

Hair, muscle, time, bone marrow

Youthful invincibility

He must now face the world

Knowing we enter and depart alone

Cruel, kind world

He embraces again

Frightening, wonderful life

People, please

Be kind to him

Kampala, 2018