Friendship

I breathe, therefore I am.
Incarnated, the breath, this Chi,
And I are friends, aren’t we?
And yet, it seems my friend sometimes forgets
And I must take its passive place,
Do its job, or suffocate.
I hope that it comes back
But then there’s still… VPAP.

Now I have earned the name ‘Ganesh’
With my new plastic trunk each night I breathe
Via silicone mask and electronic machine,
with enough REM now that I can dream.
The fear upon my husband’s face, relieved
And I may brush aside the kiss of death
Reprieved.

“Oh I’d just die if it were me”
I’ve heard folk say, but its not true.
For if it were you who was a weed like me
you just adapt. That’s what you do.

I lost two friends of mine some months ago, …. my breasts
went AWOL near the tropic of cancer on the cusp of chemo,
soon followed by mobility, and joining immune deficiency.
When it comes to medicalese
I am developing such proficiency.
Central Apnea, sleep apnea,
Its joined this exclusive friendship group
Since I’ve befriended my VPAPnea.

Donna Williams, BA Hons, Dip Ed.
Author, artist, singer-songwriter, screenwriter.
Autism consultant and public speaker.
http://www.donnawilliams.net

I acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Owners of this country throughout Australia, and their connection to land and community.