Lifes Worst Word

He'd heard the word
But hadn't sunk in
Cancer was the word
Struck fear inside
Surely not for him
Not this oaklike man
This proud strong soul
Forever smiling, joking
Unfair, unjust, not right
What had he done
Why was he punished
What was his crime
He remembered shoplifting
Only once, was fourteen
Couldn't be that
Pinched his brother
On his arm
Not that surely
But something, something?
Or was it a mistake
Some cruel,cruel hoax
Bad tests, mix up with bloods
Someone else, someone else
If true, how long
Days, weeks, months
Years would be good
Not great, but better
What would he do,
Travel the world?
Cruise, ski,dolphins?
Everyone does dolphins
Get drunk, do drugs
Buy new car, new watch
Spend, spend spend,
Enjoy life to the full
Go out on a high
Hold on, can't do that
What about wife, kids
Mum, Dad,Dog,Cat
House, Caravan,
What about Job, Mates
He'd just bought new shoes
Not worn yet,
Give them away, size ten
Make a list, yes
Make a list
Things to do
So much to do.

They say that once you are told you have cancer, you don't hear anything said for the next three minutes. This is what you hear in your mind....