The Invaders
Barbara Lydecker Crane
“It’s small,” the doctor says,
“but your cancer is invasive.”
I begin to envision
a horde of Huns on horseback
in a thunderous attack.
Charging archers, wild-eyed,
pierce the unprotected sides
of villagers like me who cower
at the carnage, at the tower
of smoke above each mountain town.
One Hun eyes me up and down . . . .
“The cancer has grown beyond
a duct,” the doctor continues.
“That’s all ‘invasive’ means.”
At that, invaders pull up reins
and horses rear and stamp.
Huns dismount on dusty plains,
unpack their makeshift camp.
Will they stay or will they go?
I wait for history to know.
- - -
Barb’s notes: “This is from my newest book, Art & Soul. And, I’m happy to add, I believe the invaders have permanently decamped, as I’ve been cancer-free for ten years.”
- - -
Barbara Lydecker Crane has won the Kim Bridgford Memorial Sonnet Crown Contest, the Helen Schaible Sonnet Contest, and has twice been a Finalist for the Rattle Poetry Prize, among other honors and awards. She has published five collections, including You Will Remember Me (Able Muse Press) and Art & Soul (Kelsay Books). She lives with her husband near Boston.
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