She’s nobody’s foolto think she deserved some reprievefrom these headwinds and chaos,the tumultuous dayswhen she was caught up in the storm.Now, she spins circles,finds the air is still loadedwith the damp heaviness that forbodes a second storm. I wrote this poem for the Wea’ve Written Weekly prompt #165, which was provided this week by BobContinue reading “After-Shock”
Tag Archives: #remission
Winter’s Hope
the wintry world bathesin cold sunlight for mere hoursbefore evening’s shadows overtake–the wind spiraling snowflakesacross county roadslike the veils of ghost brides,howling like the lover lost,the tire tracks fadingthe farther we part from humanityleaving streetlights in the rearviewuntil the morning’s brilliance scours the pavement clean, and we can breathe Hi, all! I am honored toContinue reading “Winter’s Hope”
5-Year Cancerversary
There is a lot about life that is cyclical. Trends, for instance. The 90s are really “in” right now, or so say my students. We were at a roller rink a few days ago, and every song they played was from 1990-2005. It was definitely creating an intense wave of nostalgia for this Millennial. EvenContinue reading “5-Year Cancerversary”
Discovering the Why
My short essay “Discovering the Why” has been selected for social media publication with Wildfire Magazine’s Family April/May 2024 issue. I’m so grateful to have discovered Wildfire almost three years ago through a friend in a virtual AYA cancer support group. At the time, I was wrapping up cancer treatment and longing for a communityContinue reading “Discovering the Why”
Taproots
Burrowed underthe surface,secreted shadowsthat swirl sandand flooded landwith God’s hand.I’ll masquerade as a poeta little longer,learning to findmyself beneath my words, expose my owntaproots. Shortly into remission from stage three cancer, I was joking with my primary care physician: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?” “Well,” she said, surprisingly hesitant. “It makes youContinue reading “Taproots”
Healthcare’s Downfall
Last year, I cried at my mammogram, which is cringeworthy for someone like me who abhors crying in public. Back in 2022, I wrote a post about a very positive experience with my 3rd mammo ever, but 2023 was quite different. The appointment built on several layers of issues, effectively creating a massive sandwich ofContinue reading “Healthcare’s Downfall”
4th Cancerversary
I can’t believe it’s been four years since I picked up the phone and heard the words “You have cancer.” I spent those early days in shock and disbelief. I was also terrified. I remember going to our New Year’s Day mass on January 1st, 2020, convinced that I wouldn’t be there with my familyContinue reading “4th Cancerversary”
Spiral Void
float on,down the river,until its eddiesreel against nature,swirling you intothe spiraling motion,the space devoid of downstream flow,the turbulence out of control,spinning on repeat ‘Tis the season to overextend yourself until you accidentally burn out, to then take a day entirely to yourself, and to finally bounce back feeling rejuvenated but also slightly off-kilter like you’reContinue reading “Spiral Void”
The lens through which we see the world
the camera reflects the lens through which we see life captured light glistens bright and speckles the soul with sunbeams fractured lens the camera pretends tells only half the story squeezes hope bitter note looking for glory heartened now we are learning how to share love camera’s hope the story behind the lens empathy warmContinue reading “The lens through which we see the world”
Autumn Hue
At the hilltop, I breathed in rich fall evergreens, felt short curls tickle my face and my arms stretch to encompass the peace of this place. “And in that moment, I swear we were infinite,” gliding over the clouds, melting into azure skies with wind billowing beneath us, buoying our souls as we rose aboveContinue reading “Autumn Hue”
Words and Coffee Writing 