We ply the maze of halls and offices
at Ottawa’s General Hospital
you in wheelchair
and me at the wheel so to speak
to echoes of The Beatles' Baby You Can Drive My Car
on our way to your next appointment
in Oncology
You apologize for all you’ve put me through
these past few days
I smile trying to stay positive reply
a good way to bond
you grin and answer back
not the kind of bonding I wanted
Besides
my own health isn’t the best these days
only two years older than you
though it’s extra work
gets me out of the house - comfort zone
I need the exercise – badly
too much sitting around
haven’t felt this alive in a long time
The appointment goes well
incision healing nicely
radiation is recommended
while chemo still up in the air
at least until test results come in
a long haul either way
On our way out to catch an Uber
we make a pledge that
when this is all finally over
the future will include more walks
and though still early in the game
in more ways than one
I reassure you
we’ll get through this together
and with a quick kiss
steer your wheelchair
down the hallway of Destiny
towards the Exit sign
