waiting room thoughts branch like veins!

    future divides:
        before treatment;
            during treatment!
                after treatment?
            during treatment!
                before treatment;
    present loops back...

cells multiply (like fears) in darkness:
    each division a new timeline|
        each moment splits into maybe~
            and what-if!
                and please.

time curves through the white room:
    yesterday's blood count;
        tomorrow's possibilities~
            today's needle!
                memory fires: age seven,
                    first bee sting;
                        now thirty-three,
                            first infusion?

thoughts spiral into patterns:
    statistics become prayers!
        prayers become bargains;
            bargains become acceptance:
                acceptance becomes hope~

mother's hand on shoulder transmits:
    courage through skin!
        fear through bones;
            love through time...
                strength through blood~

waiting room clock ticks sideways:
    past and future collide|
        in this sterile now!
            where moments branch
                like veins
                    like choices
                        like cells
                            like hope~