time, for myself, is now bifurcated, cleaved around its natural disaster channeled endlessly, sometimes I hate it tunneled through disease: before and after I comb through the past but can’t reconcile before the hourglass flipped on its side, pooling in hollow in-between miles, pouring sand through fingers splayed, I reside on the other side, aContinue reading “in the before and the after”
Category Archives: Cancer
Confident in Weakness
spite the blossoms that test the stems, tugging heavenward, daring nature’s roots. spite the bud the dissolves into airy fuzz and leaves the nest too soon. spite the leaves that crumble and wake underfoot, taking broken to the wind, to scatter their worldly dreams beyond their homes. I think one of my biggest weaknesses isContinue reading “Confident in Weakness”
Memoir as Healing
One concept that I’ve been considering more lately is the healing power of writing– specifically the healing power of memoir– although all expressive types of writing apply. I held a workshop recently where I shared a bit about my own cancer story and how it led me to focus on the importance of healing throughContinue reading “Memoir as Healing”
Gratitude
Spotting pale petals, you remember, trading picturesque mountains for Midwestern fields, the willpower of finding home away from home while healing strangers. But I would call you my brother, standing among a handful of faces that comforted me when the world was ending. How a rose must look from hospital rooms, frail petals and questioningContinue reading “Gratitude”
In Between & Beyond
Frantic moments captured on screen, April reads memories to me. Looking back, shadow-covered sheen: that year breeds vortices I see. The truth lies beyond the shadows, graying echoes lead home to show: branches bow the way the wind blows, bend underneath life’s tome, and grow. This week’s Wea’ve Written Weekly prompt at the Skeptic’s KaddishContinue reading “In Between & Beyond”
Inner Peace
Hope is the imprints of boots in mud after winter too long. Hope is a song whispered among friends, and around hospital beds, flowing up to the clouds overhead. Hope is the shrill of laughter, the welcome collapse after the longest day spent away. Hope is a prayer, a dare, the people who care, andContinue reading “Inner Peace”
Resuscitation
bitter, battle-hardened, armed with baited breath and toxins, build the bridge that bares your losses, unaware you are the strongest I don’t presume to know what this bald eagle is thinking, but I’d venture that he’s eyeing up a tasty fish. Though they were at one point added to the endangered species list for mostContinue reading “Resuscitation”
Cast Off
Cast out to sea, warbling wayward. Only the wind speaks, offering its favors– its knowledge and greed, gathering our labors to skim waves so free, spreading them skyward. Our grief? Let it be, whistling onward. Say goodbye to me, but I’ll save my words. This week’s Wea’ve Written Weekly from the Skeptic’s Kaddish involves breakups.Continue reading “Cast Off”
The Founding Member of the Club
moonglow overhead turning slippery bridges into whispered dreams floating down country backroads Mississippi memories What do you do when you’re the youngest person in the room? Do you straighten your shoulders and make yourself taller? Do you tilt your ears, hoping for wisdom’s osmosis? Last week, I returned to Rochester, Minnesota, for my radiation check-up.Continue reading “The Founding Member of the Club”
Endothermic
walking winter’s lane leaving sloggy footprints pressing face to windowpane breathing out our thumbprints erasing messages we’ve laid story’s momentary imprint tapping the earth’s veins secrets sparkle and glisten It’s still cold, but perhaps my poem can invoke warmth? Christmas season reminds me of family and memories, probably because there are so many traditions associatedContinue reading “Endothermic”
Words and Coffee Writing 