did those chemicals burn
as they pumped through your veins?
facade of bravery
as the hope of remission wanes

did you put on a strong face
so the rest of us could sleep?
did you cry quietly,
did you secretly weep?

when one must, one can
was your motto for facing it all
was this your true grit,
what do you recall?

fluid slowly fills your lungs
snuffing out your angelic voice
the cells, they're multiplying too quickly
you're left without a choice