Growing Up

Mom never said:
“Work hard and someday, honey
chronic disease will hit you
like a Missouri tornado!”
My own natural disaster
1 foot here, 1 foot there
Self, tossed about
Picking up the pieces
Salvaging the little things
Surprising what
Remains intact
Some cracked or torn
But still it is my history,
My story
Starting over
A stray cat with 9 lives