A minute ago

A minute ago, everything was fine.

Right as rain, as folk would chime.

Not particularly unlucky,

not necessarily successful,

yet I was as fine as can be.

A minute ago, I was whole.

Fit as the proverbial fiddle.

Taken for granted by my family,

I was the beacon they followed,

I was still fine as can be.

A minute ago, I was myself.

My life lined up on the shelf.

I just learn that I have cancer.

I should feel like I'm in hell,

I should be looking for an answer.

But a minute ago, I was inert.

Now I'm a wrecking ball let

loose down the hill

– no engine, no purpose, no driver –

for there is neither good nor ill.