Fires out of control
Smoky skies, scratchy throat
Bags packed and ready
to evacuate

Lord, have mercy. 

Diagnosis
Prognosis
Chemo
Side effects
70-80 percent successful
She’s the one the doctor’s talking to

Lord, have mercy.

Clutching a cardboard sign
on the verge of collapse
untouched by the few dollars
pressed into his hand

Lord, have mercy. 

Warm and dry
far from wind and fire
pokes and pain
well-fed, well-loved
and wide awake at one a.m.
I’m sitting on the bathroom floor
writing this poem
and hoping it will save me from
the looping thoughts
that won’t let go

Lord, have mercy on us all.

Credits and References:
“State of Emergency” by Esther Hizsa, 2023
On banner “Candle” by AKASH U.K. Used with permission.

© Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim, 2023.
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without permission from Esther Hizsa is prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used provided there is a link to the original content and credit is given as follows: © Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim 2013-2023.  http://www.estherhizsa.com