Holding On
/She walked swiftly,
Head bowed, arms
Swinging at her sides,
Black leggings, tight
Crop top over an
Exercise bra, orange
Addida Ultra Boosts
On her feet, moving on
Autopilot to reach her
Five mile goal, breath
Puffing tiny clouds into
Icy morning air yet
She didn't feel cold as
The sweat she worked
Up trickled between
Her shoulder blades,
A beeping sounded
From her activity
Watch notifying her
That her walk was
Ended, she slowed,
Pacing, stretching,
Falling onto a bench,
Popping the top on
Her bottle, warm water
With electrolytes slid
Down her parched
Throat, small sips as
Her eyes gazed across
The river noting the
Ducks paddling along
With no seeming rush
To reach anywhere,
The sunrise was just
Cracking the skyline,
No time to enjoy it
Though, she must
Catch the bus, shower
In the locker room,
Pulling on her nurse's
Uniform, ID badge
Around her neck,
She strolled into a
Small room, Peds
Oncology, genuinely
Warm smile on her face
As she greeted the
Thin boy in the bed,
Went about checking
IV's, machines, all
While telling him
About the ducks she'd
Seen swimming in
The river in a cheery
Voice, tucking
His blankets tightly in
Beside him, they'd both
Made it through one
More night.
By Gail Constable
From: Canada
Instagram: witch_of_words1955