Our new normal is angst and recovery

Frantic moments

Breath held while one affliction or another overcomes us

Briefly

We don't really panic, rather, we remain poised

Make jokes en route to our diagnosis

which is minimized by the professionals in response to

 our ability to make jokes in the first place

They love our banter, the disguise for fear that one thread pulled will unravel

our comfort

The insulation, which is our nights settling in

The haze that wraps around us

We quietly trip over our toes

and if we are lucky

we break the fall surrounded by loved ones who choose to look away.