Ordeal

In the grip of late-stage cancer

he wonders why his life 

has become such an ordeal

Is this a punishment 

for some sin   

from a previous life  

for he cannot recall anything 

gravely wrong he has done 

or is this a cruel joke of fate   

he is powerless to resist                      

He tries to be brave 

and to endure

until reality no longer

allows him to have hope 

relentless pain 

erodes his will to go on 

He renounces his faith

and repeatedly pleads

to be free from the torment    

merciful death comes in the night

as his soul rises into the light

By Shih-Fang Wang

From: United States