Sunday, October 12, 2008
Breast Cancer Awareness Poem
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
I & WE ARE STRONG by Usiku
I have breast cancer
she said to the world
courageously sharing private pain
voice breaking at the meaning and sound
another step further on uncertain ground
another gift of service to tell us
you can feel fine and still have cancer
early detection is the answer.
I feel strong
I feel strong
as tears pool and spill gracefully
sometimes emotions build suddenly
then she shaved her head
fists raised making triumph her own
singing this beautiful affirming song
I am not my hair
but what works for you
is your choice alone.
I realize I could die
from this cancer in my breast
but I also recognize
everyone's journey includes some test
making it through months of treatment
with music, laughter and silence
and especially faith, family and friends
allowing her inner beauty to ascend.
I am in control
healthier now
and much more life aware
hoping to help someone somewhere
continuing onward in this new beginning
honoring lives taken and touched by cancer
remembering the important things
because life is good
and I am strong
because we are strong.
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I've discovered over the past year that the words strength or love are never fully understood until you've had the chance to touch them as opposed to them touching you. It's like getting to touch the sun instead of feeling it or more realistically reaching out to love God as opposed just knowing that He loves you. Michelangelo's painting "The Creation of Adam" comes near to showing what I'm saying. Facing possible death or long term illness can definitely bring you face to face with who you are and who you are not, making love for the Giver of Life, self and others a priority. Which is as it should be.
ReplyDeleteI was fortunate, the lump I discovered in my breast over a year ago was not cancerous but going through the event of finding out whether it was or wasn't was indeed frightening, grueling and painful in many ways. Couple that with minimal support from family and so-called friends and it was almost unbearable. Does that make me stronger? maybe. Does it make me love more unconditionally ? definitely. But as relieved as I wanted to be, I knew my relief would never be fully satiated as long as I saw the tears of others I knew (and didn't know) who would probably never find relief in this realm.
This is an absolutely beautiful poem Usiku and it's surprising that a man can so adequately voice the heart of a woman through her personal pain and struggle without sounding contrived or patronizing. Actually I should call it remarkable and quite refreshing. Thank you.
You have touched the truth and made it known! Maturation does not come without experience. The experiences we seek or encounter on the road to the things we seek seem especially honed to fine tune us.
ReplyDeleteFor the life we have I give thanks. For many of us, it's about getting on with our lives. Many times that takes leaving a whole lot about our current lives right where it is.
Numerous possibilities come from the things we know. Endless possibililities come from things we don't know. Sometimes the Giver proves this in a least likely way.