The last breath

Chanice Cruz

The news was a storm

that crashed through our kitchen,

and in the eye of the tornado

relief escaped my lips.

I was happy you were gone

Finally, you’re free from the cancer

who held the noose,

wrapped

loosely

around

your neck,

the stool

you balanced under your feet kept

you alive, kept us together.

The years were a waiting game,

for weight to be shifted too much on

one side,

cancer watched for you to

be unbalanced.

He did this patiently from behind

the tree, tiny pieces of the bark still

punctured in his palm to this day.

There were so many days he lost

waiting for you.

In the eye of the news I

wanted to laugh at your death

unlike my sisters, who wailed like

spoiled children

Who couldn’t see the bigger picture.

when we saw your body laying

on the hospital bed, on your

terms, still a Queen

A smile on your face.

A last curve Death.

I looked in your eyelids,

and you showed me your last breath

a reflection of me

relief escaping our lips.

When he told us of your death

you died

miles and hours apart.

we exhaled.