Irrevocable Membership 

Can I eject a plug of vomit
from my mouth, open it just enough
to barf this world out of me

          this lousy reality
 
now that I have lung cancer number six.

I am a member

	of a club, 

cancer survivors’ club. 

Cancer please, do not exist,

	in my body,
        or anywhere
        at all.

Cancer deaths-no club. 

We play with a flame. 
How severe are our burns?
Are we singed or fried 
to a blackened crisp
like crusted ribs at Dallas Barbecue?
Ironic! I will eat lunch there tomorrow.

Can I hide from consciousness
but enjoy a meal before I snuff it all out?