Of a Visit to a Friend With Cancer

Although it was all we spoke of;
Neither spoke of it,
Really.
Cursory catalog of
Appropriate questions
And answers.
All other topics
Laced with ridiculous
Insignificance;
Events, stories,
Eating habits.

How weary she looks;
Of all the talking of it,
I suppose.

And how much it feels
Compunctious and
Artificial.
Dutiful parading
Piously
Past the stricken.

I began to wonder
How many came before
With patronizing,
And uncharacteristic
Intimacy;
As if sudden license
To pry.

Weary
Of platitudes
Of explaining
Of deflecting sympathy.
Of pitied looks
and solemn intensity.

Weary
Of time
With its words like
Eternity
Infinity
Lifetime.
Once joyous counselor and
Friend;
Now
Liar
Scoundrel
Thief.