– The snarling wolf

You don’t “beat” stage IV breast cancer.

The most you can do is grab the snarling wolf

by the throat and hold it at arm’s length,

trying not to be intimidated by the fangs

and the spittle and the intensity of its desire

to rip you to pieces.

If you’re lucky, you temporarily tame it

or it may tire itself out for awhile

but you are always on your guard,

knowing it will eventually awaken and attack again.

Right now, he is snoring softly at my feet.

Be vewy, vewy qui-yet.

***

This essay, The Snarling Wolf, is from Kaiulani Facciani’s book, Whatever Doesn’t Kill you Makes You Strong, an inspirational memoir on surviving life and denying death. The book is available in audio, e-book, and print formats, starting st $7, in the bookstore.