Natalie was given a granola bar during chemo
I knew her name because the nurse said it softly
“It will help your blood sugar, Natalie”
Perhaps she said it softly because of the mask
The wrong kind of mask but anything is better than nothing
That’s what they said when she had asked them
And her hands were bare, without latex gloves
I knew because I was watching as she stroked Natalie’s hand
And held it as the nausea passed
Afterwards Natalie smiled
Perhaps the nurse did too. I couldn’t see her mouth
But her thumb was circling Natalie’s wrist
When I left - another all clear - thank god
They gave me a granola bar too
And I felt undeserving of such kindness