Acceptance
by Sean Kent

I want to write a poem called "Acceptance," in which I come to terms with my cancer diagnosis. Only I've yet to write it because I've yet to accept anything. Yes I know all the experts say first comes the shock, then the denial, then the bargaining with God, then finally, unavoidably, acceptance. My problem is I've been stuck on the bargaining phase this whole time. God just won't seem to accept my terms of curing me in exchange for changing absolutely nothing about my life. Oh well. Maybe if I just hold out a little longer he'll come to the table. Probably not, though. See, the problem in negotiating with Him is He always know when your bluffing, God being omniscient and all. And the secret to a good negotiation is being completely full of shit and not letting the other guy catch on. So I'm at a bit of a handicap, but I'm not giving up. Maybe he'll come to respect my dogged determination to remain a fuck-up. One can only hope. I mean, after all, doesn't the World need fuck-ups too?