Not normal, you say
Not like you.
Not really part of your world.
Tolerated
But not understood
Allowances made
But begrudged
In private
I see it in your eyes
Your fear.
Afraid to get too close
To get hurt.
Scared to let me into your world.
To upset the balance of your normality
Because what I represent to you
Might become real.
Possible.
Eventually,
One in three people
Will get cancer.
Today it's me.
Tomorrow
Or next year
Or twenty years from now
It may be you.
Think about that.
Then define normal.

Joan Fleitas, Ed.D., R.N.
Associate Professor of Nursing, Lehman College, CUNY
Bronx, New York 10468
 

 Last updated: November 14, 2004