It started with sunburn

It started with sunburn.
"Nothing to worry about," the doctor said,
while twisting tendrils of disease
lurked deep inside, undetected.

"I can't stop itching."
"Nothing to worry about," the doctor said,
while tendrils grew and multiplied,
spreading the corruption unabated.
Natural defenses faltered, then failed,
while miracles of modern medicine
remained unused.

"Everything hurts inside."
"Nothing we can do," the doctor said.
Morphine and Percozet
create facades of nothing wrong,
while inside, everything is.

"I'm scared."
"I know, love. I'm here with you," I said,
holding a trembling hand.
Surrounded by impotent science,
her eyes closed the final time.

"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust…"
"She's in a better place with God," the minister said,
but inside my heart
scalpels carved wide and deep.
leaving behind an empty shell.

Like hers, yet I still breathe.