She stares at an empty wall

visions a ladder lifting her up,

overcome a battle she’s facing.

In Junior High, Jeanine teased

and bullied me to impress friends

until her older cousin asked her to stop.

By Senior year of high school she left

became unimpressive, bullied by her own circumstances.

Jeanine was pregnant.

Now on the receiving end

I never smirked or smiled

at the karma of 1992.

We became acquaintances

in adulthood.

I held her place in line

at Sam Goody

so she could grab one

more record.

I told Jeanine about my job’s

Annual Chinese Auction.

A glow in her eyes

each year winning baskets.

On Facebook she showcased her daughter

with pictures of their resemblance to one another.

Never the son she gave up over thirty years ago.

Standing in MOMA she stares at a bare white wall,

sees the ladder to carry her as she battles cancer for a second time.

Instead of karma, tell Jeanine she’s got this even if life is uncertain

because dark corners

need to see brightness of possibilities

as she embraces a fight with chemo.