A poem I stumbled upon. Called "Chemo... - SHARE Metastatic ...

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A poem I stumbled upon. Called "Chemotherapy". Sounds clinical, but is so much more.

TheDrivenSnow profile image
18 Replies

Chemotherapy

by Julia Darling

I did not imagine being bald

at forty four. I didn’t have a plan.

Perhaps a scar or two from growing old,

hot flushes. I’d sit fluttering a fan.

But I am bald, and hardly ever walk

by day, I’m the invalid of these rooms,

stirring soups, awake in the half dark,

not answering the phone when it rings.

I never thought that life could get this small,

that I would care so much about a cup,

the taste of tea, the texture of a shawl,

and whether or not I should get up.

I’m not unhappy. I have learnt to drift

and sip. The smallest things are gifts.

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TheDrivenSnow
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18 Replies

TheDrivenSnow...

What a lovely poem...Definitely not clinical, I agree! I bought supplies so that I could start painting and among the ideas in my head are to paint "cancer". I think it's great to have a creative outlet when dealing with all of this...This poem is a wonderful example! Thanks for sharing...

Be well,

Lynn

TheDrivenSnow profile image
TheDrivenSnow in reply to

Lynn, I agree: an outlet of some sort is vital and I think it's great that you've found a way to express yourself creatively. I do something similar: I attend art therapy sessions at the hospice, where we combine poetry and art, a poem being reflected upon during each session and used as the starting point or inspiration, if you like, for a piece of art. We're not out to prove artistic excellence to anyone! We just aim to express ourselves on paper or canvas. It works at a subliminal level...

Keep expressing yourself! And stay as healthy as you can be :)

I think this says what so many of us thinks. Thank you for sharing.

TheDrivenSnow profile image
TheDrivenSnow in reply to

It is raw and real, I agree. I'm glad it resonates with you...

conniejzirkle profile image
conniejzirkle

I love this. thanks!

TheDrivenSnow profile image
TheDrivenSnow in reply toconniejzirkle

A reflection of reality... I'm glad you find it meaningful...

Red1246 profile image
Red1246

Thank you for sharing this. Beautiful! 🙏🏻

TheDrivenSnow profile image
TheDrivenSnow in reply toRed1246

I was struck by it when I first read it quite by chance. It has taken on renewed meaning just recently... I'm glad it resonates with you...

Rustysrah profile image
Rustysrah

Yes indeed

mariootsi profile image
mariootsi

You said li all so beautifully!

TheDrivenSnow profile image
TheDrivenSnow in reply tomariootsi

Not my work, regrettably, although I do write poems. I find it compelling...

LotusAFlower profile image
LotusAFlower

It may be all too new for me ... my heart breaks a little bit more after reading this poem ...

TheDrivenSnow profile image
TheDrivenSnow in reply toLotusAFlower

Lotus, I know exactly how you feel.

I feel it, too.

Like you, I am floundering, bewildered and recalcitrant, in a reality that is relatively new to me.

Like you, I am finding my way each day, wishing each day away.

Like you, I'm screaming "No" inside, though my exterior may be placid.

Like you, I'm hoping against hope that I will be the one to disprove the experts.

Like you, I want this to mean something.

Just like you.

I will not intrude, but message me whenever you feel you need or want to reach out to someone who understands and empathises and - like you - grieves for a future that will not be lived and for the love of others that will not be experienced.

There has to be more. There will be more.

Arms around you.

LotusAFlower profile image
LotusAFlower in reply toTheDrivenSnow

Your words are so poetic and painfully insightful..... thank you for your hug ❤️

TheDrivenSnow profile image
TheDrivenSnow in reply toLotusAFlower

❤️

NPmary profile image
NPmary

Love this, such a true slice of life.

TheDrivenSnow profile image
TheDrivenSnow in reply toNPmary

I found it so.

I'm glad it resonates with you, too...

TheDrivenSnow profile image
TheDrivenSnow

Sandra, this is certainly not what Paul and I had planned for, either. I try to stay buoyant and I joke that I fully intend to stick around for another 20 years at the very least - but who knows...

Stay safe...

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