As originally published on Dark Winter Literary Magazine, editor Suzanne Craig-Whytock, Ontario, Canada, August 2022.

My ‘round Town (chemo) Toddle

My ‘round town toddle
sl-sliding feet, uneven unsteadying
Darting Eyes widen stung
sl-slide step, then, sl-slide step, moment now
I go, to go, to go
a simple pace
isn’t possible
              This
              - -is
slower, but almost too much, whi-
A-trip
     trip; but, manage.
breathe,
     steady

steady

go, more but

not too fast, two feet, to go

to go too sl-slow, I go

such, and so,

the scarred tarmac, and

just, adjust. Just

a dip down, so down

down from the pale too narrow walkway

too…

scary.

Then

Bitty oldies pass me

(well shoot)  sassy rockets,
(blink, watch)     stubborn lips pressed
(breathe more)         determined sneakers
(swallow, choke)            Wispy White
                                curls of hair, jogging
                                     With the Wind; Like the Wi-Wind!
(left to)                                   happily, joyously
                                                  surpass

(this), my oh my

new top speed

so, so sweaty

                             They are already there, far up the hill

now breathe, just

I go, to go, to go

sl-slow.

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