Wave to me.

Act like you recognize this version of me.

When we meet for brunch,

Shake my hand. Hug me. Laugh with me.

Let’s sit and gossip together about things that don’t matter.

Did someone get engaged? Who got promoted to what? Who did what to who?

Let’s clink our glasses together as we giggle about everyone and everything.

Your glass filled with a mimosa and mine filled with plain water.

Don’t touch my bald head and tell me to “rock it.”

Vanity is not something to fret now.

Don’t tell me you’re sorry.

What did you do? You didn’t cause this.

Don’t steal the ones I love.

She is my mom. He is my dad. They are my siblings. They are my friends.

Don’t tell your other friends about my “situation.”

You don’t deserve my pain that you twist into your personal gain.

When they wheel me away to that room,

Squeeze my hand and tell me I’ll win this battle.

Gather everyone and make them hug me or kiss me or hold my hand or-

Please make me worth something more than this illness.

Make me feel loved. I beg of you.

When I go on to another world,

Wave to me.