My New Life

Today was supposed to be the first day of my new life.
After this surgery, perhaps I would someday finally become a wife.
I am a thirty-five-year-old woman who has not loved in years.
Reflecting back upon my life often times brings me to tears.
I always wanted a husband and two children by this age.
Instead, I come home to my dog, Buddy, who sits in his cage.
“She has such a pretty face, now only if she lost some weight.”
A tune I have heard throughout the years – but maybe it’s not too late.
If it worked for my friend Kathy, why wouldn’t it work for me?
It is now, the afternoon of my surgery, and I arrived promptly at three.
One hour later, and I am now being wheeled into the operating room.
All of a sudden, I felt a horrible sense of impending doom.
As the surgeon approached me from behind,
I looked at him and said, “I’m sorry, but I’ve changed my mind.”

Ximena Chavez, Chicago, Class of 2003