When you go to Sloan Kettering
armed with books and articles
that fill your heart with dread
after a long and little bit frightening trip on the bus
and a somewhat nerve wrecking ride
in the very difficult to catch cab
make sure you stop at sixty sixth and second
Say hello to the man in the sugar shack
While you stand there fussing
looking for something healthy just to hold you over
among the mountains of cancer feeding candy
he might catch your eye, give you a big toothless grin
and say to you as he did to me:
“Be kind, love one another, life is short”
Though you had feared that day
and wish to never repeat it,
it may just be
one of the sweetest memories
of your life
G. Gray
7/3/13
