It was on my first of many elevator rides 

up from the basement floor

I met a woman with short, red hair and a leather jacket, 

who I only ever saw 

just this once. 

I don’t know whether I ever responded

when she spoke to me

or to God

or to the elevator door 

saying:

three years ago, now,

they had given her six months to live. 

saying:

three ye...

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I always hoped I’d get a seat next to them—

After so many hours in that chair, you look for anything to make you smile.

Most days I came prepared with things to occupy my mind.

I carried a book of Kate Bush’s song lyrics, called How to Be Invisible, which had been nearly ruined once when I spilled an entire canteen of water in the bag I packed to take to the hospital.

Bu...

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today I saw the sun
for the first time in 
a long time
a cheerful ray brushed itself
against my cheek and
under my chin
as if to lift my head for my eyes to see 
the world lit up
and for the first time in a long time
it made me smile

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